The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has appealed to traditional rulers in the country to embrace nation building as a collective responsibility.
He said government requires the support of interest groups and associations as well as citizens to govern the country.
“Nation building is a collective effort,” he said to the traditional leadership in the country.
Mr Joseph Nelson said this when he addressed queen mothers of the Kotokoli community in Ghana who paid a courtesy call on him at the regional office in Sekondi.
He lauded the queen mothers for being the first traditional establishment to pay him a courtesy call following his assumption of office.
He also commended the group for planning to establish the first vocational training centre in the Zongo community in Sekondi Takoradi
“And so, you have queen mothers having this plan, this vision to help the youth, you now have some meaningful life, is very welcoming. His excellency the President (Joh Dramani Mahama) has a vision for the youth, many times, he has spoken about vocational and apprenticeship training programmes for the youth, and it is embedded in our manifesto” he remarked.
The Minister praised the Team Kotokoli for daring to use traditional office to empower the youth and to also create jobs for Ghanaians through the proposed vocational training centre. “Everything you stand for is worthy ” Joseph Nelson emphasised.
According to the Minister, the Ghanaian economy is big enough to provide opportunities for Ghanaians.
“This economy must have space for everyone. That’s why the Apprenticeship Programme of the government is very crucial for everyone” he noted.
On dangers associated with the growing phenomenon of unemployment in the country, he said “When people are hungry and angry, you can imagine what they can do.”
Consequently, the Minister described the administration of President John Dramani Mahama as the government that would be working for all Ghanaians.
On unity, he advised the group to eschew divisive tendencies likely to cause disaffection within the group. When that is allowed, he cautioned that it would disrupt their focus and vision. “Anything of disunity, misdirection, try and avoid them,” he urged.
In line with his primary goal, he assured the group of his willingness to assist them achieve the ultimate objective of developing responsible youth groups in the Zongo communities.
The leader and Queen Mother of the Kotokoli group, Hajia Sakina Mohammed (Torvonon Chor Nyani (I)) of
Tem Kotokoli Western Region, appreciated the Minister for the warm reception he offered the group.
She assured the Minister of their unflinching support and readiness to assist his administration in any way they can for him to succeed as the 31st Regional Minister of the Western Region.
