Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized the Ministry for Inner Cities and Zongo Development, along with the Zongo Development Fund, labeling them as deceptive initiatives aimed at misleading Zongo communities.
The Ministry and Fund were established by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after assuming office, with the goal of promoting infrastructure development in Zongo communities through a $50 million seed capital allocated to the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF).
The Zongo Development Fund Act 964 was passed by Parliament in 2017 to facilitate investment in basic services, infrastructure, local businesses, and social protection for vulnerable groups within these communities.
Vice President Bawumia said in 2022 that over 300 projects had been executed by the fund.
However, addressing voters in Begoro Zongo in the Eastern Region on Monday, Asiedu Nketia contends that these initiatives were primarily designed to garner votes from Zongo communities, traditionally considered NDC strongholds, in favor of the NPP.
He pointed out that the Ministry for Inner Cities and Zongo Development was dissolved after the 2020 elections without any meaningful impact leaving Zongo communities facing even greater developmental challenges.
“They promised Zongo Ministry and Zongo Development Fund with a seed fund of $50 million but all that the Fund does is sharing of rice and sugar whenever the election approaches. So the Zongo Ministry was planning to deceive Zongo communities. Now where is the Zongo Ministry? Right after the 2020 election, the Ministry has been closed down. Where is the $50 million seed money for the Zongo development fund. It has disappeared”.
The NDC Chairman further accused the NPP of discriminating against minority groups in Ghana, stating that, the NPP has historically characterized the NDC as a party for minorities.
He cited the NPP’s “Y3 Gye Y3 Man” to wit “we are taken back our country” campaign mantra in previous elections suggesting the NPP believes Ghana belongs to Akans.
Asiedu Nketia also alleged that despite Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, a Fulani’s prominence in the NPP, there has been ongoing discrimination, exemplified by the alleged widespread prevention of Fulanis from registering for the Ghana Card.
Asiedu Nketia also slammed the government for exorbitant hajj fees denying many Muslims the opportunity to embark on the pilgrimage.
He said the NDC instituted holidays for Muslims in the National calendar, created an Islamic Education Unit, established a training college for Muslim education, and embarked on many developments in Zongo communities.
He assured that the next John Mahama-led government will continue to bring development to Zongo communities.
He urged voters to vote for the NDC Parliamentary candidate Haruna Appau Wiredu alias Showboy who was an inch closer to victory in the 2020 parliamentary election.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
