Nduom questions deprivation in resource-rich communities

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA -Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has questioned the abject poverty that characterised resource-endowed communities that contributed to the development of the country.   He said he did not understand why such cities and towns have been denied their fare share of the national cake and have been left in “squalor and deprivation”.   “I am saddened by this squalor and abject poverty…what crimes have these communities committed to warrant such neglect from past and present governments?   Dr Nduom made the observation during his campaign tour of the Western Region that took him through Aowin, Amenfi West, Amenfi Central and Prestea-Huni-Valley constituencies.   He said he could not understand why the Western Region with all its rich mineral resources and the discovery of oil would be wallowing in poverty.   “It is regrettable that Western Region with its chunk of mineral resources is still saddled with high unemployment, lack of good roads, poor hygienic and environmental conditions, lack of good schools, deplorable roads, amongst others,” he said.   Dr Nduom said it was sad that many of Ghana’s mineral-endowed cities and towns have been left to rot in poverty, citing Obuasi, Akwatia, Nsutem, Tarkwa, Prestea and Bogoso which have considerable natural resources, stressing that “even though there are gold and diamond in these areas the indigenes are suffering”.   He thus urged the electorate vote massively for the PPP which has ‘practical solutions’ to the problems confronting the region and the entire nation.   He said when the party is entrusted with power, his administration would re-negotiate with the oil companies in the region to ensure that the region benefits enormously from the resource, adding, “This does not mean that a PPP government will ignore the other regions which have no mineral resources”.   Dr Nduom told the people that his track record in private life as a successful entrepreneur, employing thousands through his investments, puts him in better stead to competently create jobs to mitigate the growing unemployment in the country.   “With my Groupe Nduom companies across the country, I have directly and indirectly created 250,000 jobs for Ghanaians.”   He urged the people to vote for a president who has demonstrated that he has the wherewithal to create jobs.   GNA... Read Full Story