The Spain Chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commended Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Ghana Water Limited Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu for what it says is "their contributions to improving the lives of Ghanaians".

Speaking in a tribute to the three officials, Secretary of the NDC Spain-Barcelona Chapter, Hanson Dartey, said their performance shows that the Mahama administration is gradually delivering results for ordinary Ghanaians.

Mr Dartey singled out Mr Ablakwa for his attention to the welfare of Ghanaians abroad, as well as reforms aimed at improving passport and consular services.

“In fact, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has made we the Ghanaians in the diaspora feel like we are at home because he quickly responds to any small problem that happens. When Ghanaians outside the country are in trouble, you can see that the Ministry is concerned and ready to help,” he said.

He cited the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa following xenophobic attacks as an example of the Minister’s responsiveness. More than 1,000 Ghanaians were evacuated during the government’s repatriation exercise.

“When our brothers and sisters were in trouble in South Africa, Ablakwa did not sit in Accra and just talk. They moved quickly to bring our people home. For those of us living outside Ghana, this gives us some peace of mind because we know our country has not forgotten us,” Mr Dartey recalled.

The Chapter also praised Mr Ablakwa for passport reforms, including reduced application fees and improved delivery and tracking services. It also cited his efforts to strengthen Ghana-Spain relations, particularly in labour mobility.

On the economy, Mr Dartey commended Dr Ato Forson for his role in what he described as greater economic stability. He pointed to falling inflation, relative stability of the cedi, debt restructuring and the removal of taxes such as the E-Levy.

“We all remember how the dollar was running and how prices were changing all the time. Today, the cedi has become much more stable and inflation has come down. We are not saying everything is cheap now, but at least there is some stability and people can plan. Ato Forson deserves credit for the work he and his team are doing.”

The NDC Spain Chapter also welcomed Ghana’s bilateral debt restructuring agreement with Spain, describing it as an important development in the economic relationship between the two countries.

Mr Dartey also praised Ghana Water Limited Managing Director Adam Mutawakilu for efforts to reduce water losses, tackle illegal connections, improve revenue collection and advance major water projects.

“Water is something every Ghanaian needs. You can stay without many things, but you cannot stay without water. So, if the director is working hard to make Ghana Water better and make sure more people get water, we have to encourage him,” he said.

The Chapter cited the rehabilitation of the aging Kpong Headworks-Tema water transmission pipeline, progress on the Tamale-Damongo Water Supply Project and improvements to water infrastructure as areas of focus under Mr Mutawakilu’s leadership.

It also commended efforts to tackle leakages and illegal connections.

Mr Dartey said the three officials deserve recognition because their work affects Ghanaians in different ways.

Ablakwa, he said, has focused on Ghanaians abroad, Ato Forson on economic management and Mutawakilu on improving water supply.

“We are not saying everything is perfect in Ghana. There is still plenty of work to be done. But when people are working and we can see what they are doing, we must also say it. We encourage Ablakwa, Ato Forson and Mutawakilu to continue and do even more for the Ghanaian people,” Mr Dartey concluded.