PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO COMMENDS MINISTER FOR TRANSFORMING RAILWAYS IN GHANA
The President Akufo-Addo of Ghana has commended the Minister for Railway Development, Hon Joe Ghartey on his achievement in transforming Railways in the country.
Akufo- Adddo who applauded the Honourable at the Essikado-Ketan Railway Training Institute during a working visit to the Western Region on Wednesday, August 19, expressed satisfaction adding Honourable Joe has done what was expected.
“He has perfectly done I was expecting.
“I had no doubt in my government that I had somebody who could do that work for me. Fortunately, he also comes from the railway capital of Ghana, Essikado-Ketan, and that is why I gave the job to Joe Ghartey.
“And he should come and lead the renaissance of the railways’ system of the country. I can only thank God that he’s been able to live up to my expectations,” President Akufo-Addo said at the newly refurbished Railway Training School at Ketan on August 19, 2020.
President who showered praises on the Essikadu-Ketan legislature for transforming the railway sector revealed that deep down his heart, he knew his surest bet to resuscitate the ailing railway sector was to appoint Mr Ghartey but was quick to confess that it was a very challenging decision.
“The commitment to reviving the railway sector is absolute, it’s unconditional, and it’s non-negotiable. I can only thank God that he’s been able to live up to my expectations. He has negotiated hard to find the money for all this, and it’s happening and it’s going to continue to happen. And god willing if we get four more you will see the results his labour in the sector,” he said while addressing a gathering of Chiefs and people on day two of his working visit to the Western Region, President Akufo-Addo.
Dankwa Akufo-Addo, note that allowing the railway sector in the country to collapse after independence was one of Ghana’s biggest mistakes and a “strategic error”.
He said due to the importance of railways in shaping the economy, his government is committed to prioritising the sector and continuously revamping it.
President Akufo-Addo assured the gathering particularly the Omanhene of Essikadu of his commitment to transform Ghana’s rail sector into a world-class and appealed to the people to renew his mandate by voting massively for him come December 7, 2020.
The Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, on whose land the Railway Training School is situated, commended the President and the Railways Minister for the steps taken so far as the rehabilitation works of signals the revamping of a growth pole in Sekondi.
He added that it took Joe Ghartey’s confidence and extraordinary capabilities to calm their fears.
“There was a lot of agonies when we learnt Joe Ghartey was appointed the Railways Minister. Joe, Railways? I stood in public and spoke… not to him but for the appointing authorities that they better help him execute the task else it would be a disgrace to us. But in the wisdom of the President, he knew why he chose him.
“For twenty years we’ve kept to speaking about railway development. We speak about it at the House of Chiefs…. before any President, we bring this issue up.” the monarch explained.
(Peace FM/ Citinews)
