Mills Meets Foot soldiers

Government appointees in the Upper East Region can now heave a sigh of relief and be sure of their positions as President Mills has disarmed the dreaded foot soldiers in the region, compelling them to coil their “tails between their legs in submission”, for now.

President Mills also warned some unidentified people who were behind the action of the foot soldiers and agitated for the dismissal of his appointees, adding, “If you do that to sack somebody and you are put there, the same way people will say you should also be sacked from office. The foot soldiers in the region had been up-in-arms against some government appointees in the region, especially the regional minister, Mark Wayongo.

The President, as usual, blamed the inability of his administration to create jobs for the foot soldiers and other Ghanaian youth on “a very huge debt” which, according to him, was left unpaid by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government stressing that his administration was still paying the debt, for which reason the “hungry and eager fool soldiers and Ghanaian youth should allow him some more time to fulfill his promise to them. Over the weekend, the President stormed the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgantanga, to the surprise of many, after stopping over in Tamale, where he addressed some local government and security officials at a workshop.

As his convoy moved towards the residence of the Upper East Regional Minister, some charged foot soldiers followed in buses, taxis and on motorbikes. They defied police orders to stop at the main gate, probably to tell President Atta Mills their piece of mind and to agitate for the immediate dismissal of some government officials, but the President dispersed them with warmed words and promises. “First of all, I must thank you for the role you played in ensuring victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Let me tell you, some people want to give you the impression that we have forgotten about you. We can never forget you…All I ask of you is patience. I have come here today to show you that your sorrow is my sorrow and your joy is my joy.

Please work with the officials, work with the regional minister, work with the executives and work with your leaders. Your time will come one day and I want to tell you, it will come very soon,” he stated. The political appointees who surrounded the President as he spoke to the foot-soldiers through a big megaphone, including Mark Owen Woyongo and the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Espona Ayamga, expressed satisfaction with the President for saving a very tense situation.

President Mills expressed gratitude to the foot solders for working hard to make the party attractive and strong in the region, irrespective of the difficulties, adding that “times are hard, but I have not turned my back on you, and it will be criminal on my part to turn my back on you. If I do so, Allah will not bless me. Some foot soldiers who were interviewed after the President’s speech, said they would comply and remain calm as they wait for the ‘better Ghana’ jobs as promised by President Mills and his appointees. However, most of them were quick to add that they would advise themselves if the President and government take them for a ride.

Source: Daily Guide/Ghana