Compiled by Richard Kofi Attenkah.
Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive has commended residents in the Metropolis for being nationalistic, after they decided to defy the heavy downpour that almost disrupted the celebration of Ghana’s Independence Day on 6th March.
According to him, he was overwhelmed by what residents of Tema demonstrated in the heavy rain, saying “in this moment, we have just shown our spirit of patriotism and nationalism”.
Hon Odamtten was speaking at the 57TH independence anniversary celebration in Tema on Thursday, under the theme: “Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through Patriotism and National Unity”.
He noted that Ghana has come of age and that there was the need for residents within the Metropolis to have a common thread of patriotism that will bind them in all discourse of their lives.
He advised government, churches, institutions and other corporate bodies to realize that they are the country’s pride and, therefore, development and growth can not be achieved without the driving force and interest of citizens.
Hon. Odamtten revealed that “No objective aspiration is attainable on the basis of individualism, and for that reason people have to strive together to achieve even the simplest of any activity”.
He tasked Ghanaians to put Ghana first and do away with all forms of anti-social vices, which do not promote development, but rather observe the responsibilities that will help build and promote the progress of mother Ghana. He said if our leaders portray a Godly lifestyle, the young ones will also learn from them.
The Tema Mayor called on Ghanaians, especially the youth, to focus on their self-realization and “Identify common threads of torch bearers for the good of the future generation”.
He highlighted some developmental initiatives of the Assembly, saying “in fulfilling the better Ghana agenda, the Assembly is determined to support quality teaching and learning in our schools and also bridge the agenda gap in the educational sector, improve sewage facilities, markets and parking lots, clean Tema and improve security and safety in the Metropolis”.
He continued that his outfit would ensure good governance, social support, skills development, promote tourism and cultural exchanges, as well as infrastructural development, which form part of the eight point agenda of the Assembly.
On the poor nature of some roads in the Metropolis, he said “budgets have been formulated to improve urban and the rural roads network, whilst providing scholarships to support bright but needy students”.
He entreated all parents to take keen interest in the development of their children to enable them become future leaders, because efforts of teachers will be futile if parents do not make the home the first School.
One thousand, six hundred and sixty (1, 660) pupils and students drawn from schools across the Metropolis and 240 security personnel from the various security agencies participated in the march past.