By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Oct. 08, GNA – The Youth Placement for Employability Solutions (Y-PES) Ghana has praised the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, for his sacrificial services to Ghana.
This was contained in a citation presented to Mr. Bagbin by Y-PES Ghana under the patronship of Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area in honour of his “outstanding contribution and dedicated service” to Ghana.
“It is with great pleasure and admiration that we present this citation commending you for your outstanding contribution and dedicated service to our country Ghana,” part of the citation read.
Speaker Bagbin was recognised as the “Unique Star Exceptional Mentor Achiever” during the Unique Star Achievers’ (USA) Awards 2024 alongside his enskinment as Dakagili Naa (Trustworthy and Depensable Chief) by the Wala Traditional Council.
The citation indicated that throughout his over-three decades of service in parliament, Mr. Bagbin had demonstrated “exceptional leadership, professionalism, and resolute commitment” to the development of the country.
“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly”, it quoted James Allen.
Mr. Sulemana Mumuni, the Executive Director of Y-PES Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that it was important to recognise the efforts of individuals and institutions that served their nations diligently.
He indicated that the price for dedicated service and hard work was not just in monetary terms but public recognition in diverse ways was integral.
According to the citation, Mr. Bagbin, currently the Speaker of Parliament, had served as President of the African Parliamentary Union (APU), which comprised parliaments from 41 African countries, Member of Parliament for Nadowli West Constituency and subsequently the Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency of the Region.
He had also served as Majority Leader in the parliament of Ghana in 2009, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing and as a Minister of Health.
Cataloging some impacts of Mr Bagbin, the citation said he had constructed an ultramodern Astroturf at McCoy College of Education in Nadowli to improve sporting activities in the region.
He also launched a $100,000.00 Research Fund with GH₵ 500,000.00 seed fund to provide financial resources for research work at the SDD University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS).
“These and many others are the reason why you are seen as a state man of our time”, the citation indicated.
Other personalities recognised were Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, a former Minister of Defense and the Interior during the P/NDC era, Naa Dikomwine Domalae, President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs and Justice (rtd) Mrs. Angelina Mornah Domakyaareh, a retired Justice of the Appeals Court.
The rest were Naa Professor Edmond N. Delle Chiir VIII, Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area and Sir Dr. Edward N. Gyader, a retired medical practitioner who was awarded posthumously.
GNA