The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, has called on Ghanaians to reflect on the nation’s past, review its present challenges, and reset its development agenda to secure a better future.
Delivering an address at the 68th Independence Day celebration held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, the Kumasi Mayor of Kumasi said the anniversary offers an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the ideals of the country’s founding leaders.
The event, held on March 6, brought together traditional authorities, government officials, members of parliament, education authorities, students, and members of the public.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the KMA boss described the celebration as a moment of pride and reflection for the nation.
“Today is a day of pride, reflection and renewed commitment to the vision of our forefathers who fought gallantly for the freedom we enjoy today,” he said.
Reflect, Review and Reset
King Zuba said the theme for this year’s celebration — “Reflect, Review, Reset” — encourages Ghanaians to examine the country’s journey since gaining independence in Ghana Independence.
He noted that while Ghana has made significant progress in areas such as education, technology, healthcare and infrastructure, several challenges remain.
These include youth unemployment, corruption, economic instability and environmental issues such as illegal mining.
According to him, addressing these challenges requires renewed commitment to national development and responsible governance.
“We must empower our youth with skills for the future, strengthen our institutions to fight corruption, and invest in technology and infrastructure to compete globally,” he said.
Government reforms
The Mayor also highlighted ongoing governance reforms under President Mahama’s administration, including efforts to streamline government operations.
He said the government had reduced the number of ministers to 60, including deputy and regional ministers, as part of measures to improve efficiency and reduce public expenditure.
The KMA Boss added that realignment of some ministries and agencies was also being undertaken to strengthen public sector management.
Youth climate initiative
He further announced that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly had qualified for the second phase of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund programme.
The initiative provides funding and technical support for young people aged between 15 and 24 to develop climate solutions in their communities.
According to him, the metropolis initially received $50,000 for youth-led climate projects and has secured an additional $100,000 to support more initiatives over the next year.
He encouraged young people in the metropolis to take advantage of the opportunity.
Commendation for students
He also commended teachers and students in the Kumasi metropolis for their academic performance, particularly in the Basic Education Certificate Examination and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
He urged students to remain focused on their education and avoid social vices that could undermine their future.
“The future of this country depends on you,” he told the students.
He concluded by urging all Ghanaians to play their part in nation-building, regardless of political affiliation or background.
“Let us reset our attitudes toward national development—choosing patriotism over division, hard work over shortcuts, and integrity over self-interest,” he said.
He ended the address by wishing Ghanaians a happy Independence Day celebration and calling for unity in advancing national development.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
