New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to tackle longstanding challenges facing the Ga state, attributed in part to its role as the nation’s capital, if elected president.

During a visit to the Ga Mantse’s palace on Thursday, November 28, Dr Bawumia identified key issues such as land disputes, the decline of the Ga language, and youth unemployment as areas requiring urgent attention.

He assured the Ga Mantse and the Ga people of his commitment to addressing these challenges, promising solutions that would promote development and preserve the cultural heritage of the Ga state.

“The Ga state hosts the capital of Ghana, and because of that the rest of Ghana is here but that has implications for the Ga state which we have to take account of, in the policy.

“It has implications because land becomes a problem. The demand for land here is much higher than anywhere in the country. This means indigenes do not get access to affordable land and that is a major issue we have to deal with.

“Secondly, educational opportunity is another issue, job is another issue for the youth here. The schools have limited chances for the youth who are here, limited jobs and also the language. The language is another problem because most of us who are here can survive without speaking Ga. That leads to a decline in the language.

“We have to make sure that Ga is taught in our schools to protect the language, otherwise, it is going to be very costly. There are a lot of issues of land which the Ga state has with the government and we have to resolve these issues. I promise you that as president I’m going to sit down with you and we will resolve these issues in your favour.”

The visit followed shortly after Dr Bawumia signed the peace pact, reiterating the NPP’s dedication to ensuring peaceful elections and strengthening Ghana’s democratic credentials.

Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of seeking the support and prayers of the chiefs and people of the Ga state in his quest for the presidency.

“All of you have seen that we have built the James Town Harbour and that is going to help the fishing community. Our fishermen have a problem with premix fuel. And so, I have come up with a new idea because there’s so much corruption involved in the distribution of premix fuel.

“Let us move away from premix fuel to outboard motors which use solar power. Solar power to power the outboard motors. Our fishermen don’t have to buy premix fuel anymore. We have brought the solar-powered outboard motors, everything has begun, we did it in Apam.

“Wednesday we are going to Tema to bring all the chief fishermen to demonstrate so that everybody will see how these solar-powered outboard motors work. I believe that it will make the fishermen rich because they don’t have to spend a lot of money on fuel anymore.”

Dr. Bawumia also highlighted his initiative to provide solar-powered outboard motors, which he said would support fishermen in their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, welcomed the visit, noting that the Ga people would hold Dr. Bawumia to his promises should he win the presidency.

“Hosting the capital has not been easy, thanks for talking about solutions. We’re in line with your solutions, let’s get them done. Come December 7, if Ghanaians give you the nod, we want a social contract with the Ga people. We also want you to place in prime positions Ga and Dangmes indigenes within your party so that they effectively serve their purpose and promote our Ga culture and who we are.”

Bawumia was accompanied by Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover, party executives, and Darkoa Newman, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Okaikoi South where the palace is located.