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The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has reiterated his commitment towards the setting up of a “Zongo Development Fund” aimed solely at solving basic infrastructure problems existing in Zongo communities across the country.

He said that proper mismanagement of the country’s public finances will allow the Fund to be established.

The NPP flagbearer made this known when he paid a courtesy call on Brong Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Kadre in Sunyani, on Monday, October 5, as part of his “Rise and Build Tour” of the region.

Nana Akufo-Addo explained to the Chief Imam and the gathering that the idea of the Zongo Development Fund was mooted in 2012, and was also captured in the party’s Manifesto, to address the underdeveloped nature of Zongo communities, which, like many other parts of Ghana, lack basic infrastructure such as roads, water, toilets, good sanitation, schools and health facilities.

Very often, according to Nana Akufo-Addo, these communities seem left behind in any development especially in the urban cities. An Akufo-Addo government, God-willing and with the people of Ghana consenting, he said, will address the issue.

“We will work with the communities to upgrade and rebuild their infrastructure, and improve the lives of the residents. We will support residents of deprived and neglected areas, and give them the dignity that they deserve, improve their health and enhance the value of their properties,” he added.

Reintroduction of allowances

The NPP flagbearer also assured Alhaji Kadre of the reintroduction of allowances paid to Arabic and Islamic instructors

It will be recalled that Arabic and Islamic Instructors in the Zongos and parts of Northern Ghana were paid allowances under the National Volunteer Service Programme in the Kufuor led NNP government, but the NDC government stopped these payments.

However, Nana Akufo-Addo maintained that his government “will revert to the policy and additionally support Arabic/Islamic instructors with training and other incentives to motivate them to provide good training to our children.”