By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – The Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF) has recounted some of the infrastructure projects and social interventions implemented by the ruling New Patriotic Party government in Zongo communities across the country.
The Fund has rolled out over 200 projects in Zongo communities in areas of healthcare, education, sanitation, and sports, as well as scholarships, bridges, drainage and entrepreneurial training and grants to Muslim women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
It has also funded supply of 5,000 dual desks, 17 astroturfs, 70 new classroom blocks and 40 brilliant students from Zongo communities sponsored to pursue medicine in Cuba.
At a stakeholders’ forum christened “The Zongo Gaskiya Forum” in Accra on Thursday, Alhaji Ben Abdallah Banda, Chairman of National Zongo Campaign for Bawumia, said the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led Administration had outperformed the NDC government in terms of infrastructure development in Zongo communities.
“There are facts and data to back the projects we have implemented in Zongo communities over the past seven years. I challenge NDC to come out and account to the Zongos the infrastructure projects it rolled in Zongo communities during its rein.
“The NDC can only mention granting holidays to Muslims,” Alhaji Abdallah Banda stated.
He added: “Now, the people in Zongo communities are well awake and will not fall for NDC’s lies and propaganda. They’re resolute and will support Bawumia’s elevation to the presidency,” he said.
Alhaji Abdallah Banda, also a former Member of Parliament for Offinso South, said the NDC had been spreading falsehood in Zongo communities that since President Akufo-Addo has not assented to the LGBTQ+ legislation it implied that Bawumia supports such practices.
He refuted such claims being propagated by the NDC, noting that the NPP flagbearer, Dr Bawumia, had already declared in several fora that his presidency would not support LGBTQ+ because the country’s customs and values did not support gay rights.
Alhaji Abdallah Banda explained that the delay by the President in assenting to the LGBTQ+ Bill into law was due to a pending Supreme Court case, thus, injuncting the President from signing the bill into law.
He, therefore, urged residents in Zongo communities not to fall for what he called “the NDC’s flimsy and trivial propaganda” and rather support Dr Bawumia’s presidential ambition since he had done a lot to show care and affection for Zongos.
Alhaji Abdallah Banda criticised the Atta Mills/Mahama-led Administration for cancelling the Arabic instructors and Makaranta teachers’ monthly stipends in 2009.
He explained that the Arabic instructors’ allowance was instituted by President John Kufuor’s government in 2001 to cushion Arabic teachers, but the erstwhile NDC government cancelled it and despite several pleas it was not restored by the Mahama-led government in 2013.
“The NPP government has always shown faith and solidarity with Muslims and since 1979 when Victor Owusu was our presidential candidate to Kufuor’s time and to Akufo-Addo, we have elected a Muslim as our running-mate.
“And now, we have a Muslim in the person of Dr Bawumia as our flagbearer, leading a major political party for presidential elections, “Alhaji Abdallah Banda recounted.
“Under Bawumia’s Presidency, we will construct one Islamic Senior High School in each of the 16 regions,” he stated.
Dr Arafat Sulemana Abdulai, the Chief Executive Officer, Zongo Development Fund, said it was Dr Bawumia who mooted the Zongo Development Fund idea and was accepted by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was then the presidential candidate in 2008 general elections.
It was included in the NPP’s Manifesto in 2012 and 2016 elections respectively, he added.
Alhaji Abdallah Banda gave the assurance that the Bawumia’s Presidency would consolidate the gains made so far in Zongo communities and ensure equity, and inclusiveness in implementing development infrastructure for the Zongos.
The maiden Zongo Gaskiya Forum was on the theme: “Seven Years of Zongo Development Fund: The Positive Impact So Far, and the Promising Future Ahead.”
The event attracted Zongo Chiefs, Mallams, Imams, Zongo youth and women groups.
GNA