The chiefs and people of Ahanta in the Western Region have expressed their heartfelt appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Joseph Nelson as the Western Regional Minister.

The appointment, described as historic, marks only the second time an Ahanta native has held this prestigious position.

At a press conference led by Nana Kwesi Agyeman IV, the Chief of Lower Dixcove, the chiefs assured the government of their cooperation to ensure Mr Nelson’s success in office.

However, the event took an unexpected turn when Nana Agyeman addressed the lingering controversy surrounding the statue of former President Akufo-Addo, which was unveiled during his tenure.

Speaking on the matter, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IV clarified his involvement in the statue’s unveiling.

"When I arrived at the event, I saw the statue, but until that moment, I neither contributed financially to nor discussed its construction. I had no idea about it.

The statue, mounted in the Western Regional capital, has faced scrutiny over its funding and purpose, with some attributing its construction to contributions from the chiefs. Nana Agyeman explained that while he was present at the unveiling, he was unaware of the initiative until the day of the event.

Shifting the focus to the region’s pressing concerns, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IV highlighted the dire state of roads in the Western Region.

"If you look through the whole region, apart from the Agona-Nkwanta to Nsuaem and Tarkwa-Bogoso roads, the rest are in terrible condition. Even the regional capital lacks a proper major road. For all we contribute to the development of this nation, we shouldn’t have such bad roads," he lamented.

Despite these challenges, the chiefs remain optimistic about the potential impact of Joseph Nelson’s appointment. They expressed confidence in his leadership, describing him as disciplined, respectful, and capable.

"We are so proud and happy about this appointment. We assure the government of our full cooperation to ensure his success," Nana Kwesi Agyeman IV concluded.