My visit here today is a very simple one. It is to come and commiserate with you about the tragedy that has occurred.
When it happened, I was in America, on official business, when the Chief of Staff called me in America, about what had happened, and we discussed what had to be done, so that is when we agreed to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee to co-ordinate government response to this tragedy. The co-ordination is about immediate, about tomorrow, and about tomorrow, tomorrow.
The most important thing was first of all, to ensure the life of people. That is why Nine centres were established here in Mepe for all the displaced people. And all the people in these nine centres have been provided relief items by NADMO; and its NADMO’s intention to continue the exercise of providing relief items.
So apart from what NADMO is doing, we have also to think about the future. I am aware that you are farming people. The people who are farming on the banks of the rivers; the rivers banks that have overflowed and destroyed many of the farms. So one of the things that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the President is going to be working with the District Assembly, is to decide exactly the nature of the support we have to give to you when the water has gone away, so nobody could do the farm. This is why I am saying that the Committee is working in several phases. One, immediate relief; and then tomorrow.
But I want you to know that the government is going to do everything in its powers to assist, to make sure that things are all right. I think everybody here, and I hope you take the message all across, North Tongu, South Tongu, Central Tongu, that when these things happen and government acts, politics does not come into the matter at all.
When I took the Oath of Office as President, I took the Oath of Office as President of every single individual in Ghana; of all peoples in Ghana, all districts, and whether they voted for me or not, once I have taken the oath, I am the President of all people. So Togbe, you and your elders, I want the people here, beginning with you and the elders to understand that when something like this happens and the government acts, government is acting for Ghanaians, all Ghanaians.
I came here because Ghanaians are having difficulties and are suffering, and it is my responsibility to try and help. Because if it is a question of counting who votes for me and who doesn’t vote for me, I shouldn’t be here, because you don’t vote for me, but that is not a concern, and in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party,…(laughs).
So Togbe, I came here this afternoon, to express my sympathies and to commiserate with all the people of Mepe, and the area. I chose Mepe because…(video ends)