The Vice President and presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured the Ga Mantse and the Ga Traditional Council of his commitment to collaborate with them as president to address challenges facing the Ga State and Ghana as a whole.

As part of his campaign activities, Dr Bawumia paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse and the Ga Traditional Council to express gratitude for their counsel and to share the policies he has been outlining to the Ghanaian people.

Addressing Challenges Together

Speaking to the Ga Mantse and the Council, Dr Bawumia identified several issues affecting the Ga State and expressed his desire to work closely with them to resolve these challenges as president.

He highlighted the unique challenges that arise from hosting Ghana’s capital city, including land accessibility, limited opportunities for locals, and the decline of the Ga language.

“The Ga State hosts the capital of Ghana. Because of this, the rest of the country is here, which has implications for the Ga State that we must take into account in policymaking,” Dr Bawumia noted.

He emphasised the pressing issue of land availability, stating:
“Demand for land here is much higher than anywhere else in the country. This means that indigenous people do not have access to affordable land. That is a major issue we must address.”

Challenges in Education and Employment

Dr Bawumia also discussed limited educational and employment opportunities for Ga youth, pointing out that the influx of people into the capital exacerbates the problem.

“Because everyone is here, schools have limited places for local residents, and there are fewer job opportunities,” he explained.

Preserving the Ga Language

A significant concern raised by Dr Bawumia was the decline of the Ga language. He pledged to address this issue through education:
“The language is another problem. Many people in Accra can survive without speaking Ga, which leads to its decline. We must ensure Ga is taught in schools to preserve it. Otherwise, the cost of losing the language will be immense.”

Land Disputes and Promises of Resolution

Dr Bawumia acknowledged land disputes between the Ga State and the government and promised to resolve them collaboratively:
“We must resolve these issues. I assure you that as president, I will sit down with you, and we will find solutions together. Hosting the capital should not put you at a disadvantage, but many developments have done exactly that.”

A Welcoming Response

The Ga Mantse welcomed Dr Bawumia’s proposals, stating that his suggested solutions align with the Council’s own aspirations.

Returning Powers to Traditional Leaders

Dr Bawumia also shared his plans to amend the Chieftaincy Act to return more powers to traditional rulers, underscoring his commitment to strengthening their role in governance and community development.

The meeting underscored Dr Bawumia’s pledge to ensure that the Ga State benefits from hosting the capital city while preserving its cultural heritage and addressing its unique challenges.