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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure that development is spread across the country.

The biggest problem facing the government, he said, was the near empty treasury it inherited, but said efforts were being made to raise funds to embark on development projects.

President Akufo-Addo, who was addressing the chiefs and queenmothers of the Dzodze Traditional Area when they called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, said it was the duty of the central government to make sure that development was evenly spread across the country.

“My biggest problem is that I did not receive much money when I came into office, so it is little by little that we are building up the treasury to be able to do all the things that need to be done, but you can be sure that all the issues you have raised will be properly addressed’’, the President assured.

Responding to some issues raised by the traditional leaders, President Akufo-Addo said he had taken notice of their requests for infrastructure, including roads and the provision of start-up capital for women in their area, and said the government would help deal with those challenges.

Corruption allegations

President Akufo-Addo expressed his resolve not to shield any official of his government involved in corrupt practices, saying his commitment to fight corruption remained resolute.

He said all allegations of corruption would be handed over to the appropriate bodies to investigate.

“We should not engage in mere allegations and condemnations. That one is not right. The matter has to be investigated and if something is found, then the appropriate remedies will be applied. If we have a situation where mere allegation is enough to convict people, then none of us would ever be in a position to form a government.

“All we have to do is to get up and say this is corrupt and that is the end of it. There has to be evidence to back it and that is why we have institutions of state examining and going into the allegations,” the President asserted.

Inspiration

President Akufo-Addo said he and his government were encouraged and inspired by the “strong words” of commendation by the chiefs and queen mothers from Dzodze because it meant that their work was being appreciated.

“It allows you to have more vim to even try to do better, so I appreciate it very much, the words of commendation about the transformative impact our policies are having on the people of Dzodze and Ghanaians in general,” he added.

The President said he was happy that traditional leaders were working with the government in a harmonious and constructive manner and expressed the hope that such a collaboration would be sustained.

Mediation

Touching on the appointment of Togbe Sri III, the Awoamefia of the Anlo State, to mediate in the Bimbilla chieftaincy conflict, President Akufo-Addo said he made the choice based on the lessons learnt from the significant contributions of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, led by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in resolving the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.

He, therefore, called for support for Togbe Sri who he described as a worthy traditional leader and an experienced man who was already making positive strides in the mediation process.

Commendation

The leader of the delegation, Togbe Dei III, earlier commended President Akufo-Addo and the government for the exemplary leadership exhibited through “your life changing policies.

We are witnessing transformation in our communities and in the lives of our people,” adding that people must be given praise where it was due and be criticised constructively.

He said President Akufo-Addo had proven to be a man they could trust because he had been able to fulfil almost all the promises he made during the 2016 electioneering at Tadzevu.

Togbe Dei, however, appealed to the President for development projects and mentioned the Keta harbour project, development of a quarry at Dzodze, construction of a modern market, roads, as well as improvement of infrastructure at Dzodze Penyi and Weta senior high schools as some of the projects.