By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Akatsi (VR), Sept. 15, GNA – The Founder of the Atidepe Foundation, Mr Thomas Yao Atidepe, has said well-equipped to contribute effectively to the administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akatsi South Constituency.
He said this was because in his years of grassroots political engagement, local governance and community service, he had gained tremendous experience needed for the job ahead.
Mr Atidepe, who is vying for the Deputy Secretary position of the NDC, said his decision to contest the role, was informed by his desire to bring his experience in community mobilisation, administration and development to the service of the party and its members.
Mr Atidepe, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said his years of interaction with people at the grassroots had given him a better understanding of their concerns and the need for effective communication between party leadership and members.
He said his experience as an Assembly Member for the Torve Electoral Area and former Presiding Member of the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly, had also exposed him to local governance, development planning and the importance of working with different stakeholders to achieve common objectives.
Mr Atidepe said he would seek to apply those experiences to strengthen the organisational structures of the NDC at the constituency level if given the mandate.
He said the party’s strength depended largely on the effectiveness of its grassroots structures and the ability of constituency executives to maintain regular engagement with members.
“I believe that my years of working directly with the people have given me a good understanding of grassroots’ concerns and how to engage them effectively,” he said.
Mr Atidepe said his community development activities through the Atidepe Foundation had further deepened his commitment to improving the lives of people within the Municipality.
He said the Foundation was established with the objective of contributing to the development of communities through interventions in education, agriculture, youth empowerment and support for institutions.
Mr Atidepe said the Foundation had provided educational assistance to students and supported schools and other educational initiatives to help create better opportunities for young people.
He said education remained one of his major areas of concern because investing in young people was essential to the long-term development of the Municipality.
Mr Atidepe said the Foundation had also supported both state and private institutions in the Municipality whenever their needs fell within its capacity to assist.
He said such support was his way of complementing the efforts of the government, private organisations and other stakeholders working to improve conditions in communities.
The Foundation had also implemented agricultural initiatives, including the distribution of coconut seedlings to residents to encourage tree-crop farming and create sustainable sources of income, he said.
Mr Atidepe said the Foundation’s interventions were not intended merely as charitable gestures but were aimed at empowering people and institutions to become more productive and self-reliant.
He said his experience through the Foundation had enabled him to interact with a wide range of people, including students, teachers, farmers, community leaders, public institutions and private organisations
That, he said, had strengthened his understanding of the socio-economic challenges confronting communities and the importance of collaboration in addressing them.
Mr Atidepe said if elected as the Deputy Secretary, he would promote stronger communication within the party and work to ensure that the concerns of members at the grassroots were effectively communicated to the constituency leadership.
He also called for greater unity among party members, saying the NDC could only remain strong when its members worked together despite the differences in opinion.
Mr Atidepe reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen the party’s presence at the branch and electoral area levels and encourage greater participation of young people in party activities.
He said his approach would be guided by consultation, teamwork, and service to the party rather than personal interests.
Mr Atidepe urged delegates to consider the experience and capacity of candidates when making their choices, saying the position required a person who understood both the administrative and grassroots dimensions of party organisation.
He said his record in local governance and community development through the Atidepe Foundation demonstrated his commitment to service and provided a sound footing upon which he hoped to contribute to the NDC’s organisational development in Akatsi South.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel
Email: [email protected]