President Akufo-Addo has joked about the length of time that Mr. Alan Kyerematen has pursued his presidential dream.
Speaking in Kumasi recently in a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Akufo-Addo joked in twi, “We have here one of my great guys, he started wanting to become President a long time ago, a hard worker, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Kyerematen.”
The President also mentioned the presidential aspiration of Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie.
“We also have your Okyeame, Owusu Afriyie, he wants to become President, he is the Minister of Agriculture,” the President joked.
Other personalities who visited the Asantehene with the President and were introduced by him werethe Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Minister for Transport Ofori Assiamah, Francis Assenso Boakye, Minister for Works and Housing, Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister for National Security, and Chairman Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wuntumi), the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP.
“I AM GRATEFUL TO ASANTEMAN FOR ITS UNFLINCHING SUPPORT” – PREZ. AKUFO-ADDO TO ASANTEHENE
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, used the occasion to express his gratitude to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Asanteman for supporting the New Patriotic Party and his candidature in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, 1st October 2021, when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at his Palace at Manhyia, at the commencement of his 4-day working visit to the Ashanti Region.
“I am here to show my gratitude to you and Asanteman for your support in the last elections. You have supported the NPP since time immemorial, and in the last elections, but for your unshrinking support and that of Asanteman to me and the NPP, we would not have been in government,” the President said.
He continued, “I am here to show you and the entire kingdom my gratitude for that solid support that has seen us in power.”
President Akufo-Addo, in explaining the rationale for his visit to the Region, indicated that he is in the Region to familiarize himself with the numerous developmental projects going in the Region, and listen for himself the concerns of residents, traditional authority and opinion leaders.
The President also used the opportunity to assure the people of the Ashanti Region that he will not take their support for him and the NPP for granted, stressing that it is for this reason that several developmental projects have been done, with many still ongoing in the Region.
“There are many ongoing projects. We can all attest to the fact that Kumasi and Asanteman have not witnessed such massive road infrastructural projects in our political history. Other projects like the 1D1F, the ongoing Kumasi Airport construction which is 77% complete and by June next year, it will be completed after which its international status will be achieved’’ he said.
President Akufo-Addo also assured Otumfuo Osei Tutu II that, even though there were delays with respect to the Boankra Inland Port project, plans are far advanced for the project to take off.
On his part, the Asantehene praised the President for his commitment to the development of the region and the country.
He also praised the President for his tour of the country, adding that, “if you stay in your office, your appointees will tell you what you want to hear. This tour will help you verify what you hear and know the truth.”
“I know you and you do not disappoint. I trust you and I know you will honour Asanteman,” the Asantehene said.
President Akufo-Addo was accompanied the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah; Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng; Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah; Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Works and Housing; National Security Minister, Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah; and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako; amongst others.
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