Leadership of the Zongo Community in the Ashanti Region has said it is not impressed with the work of the Inner City and Zongo Development Ministry.

The leaders observed that little has been achieved in the communities in terms of development and improvement in the lives of the people since the Ministry was created.

They believe the Ministry can do better to transform the Zongos, if education is prioritized and the locals are involved in the planning process.

Chief Osman Bin Ahmed who speaks for the Sarkin Zongo in Kumasi said that broader consultation is needed to ensure growth and development.

“We can see that the Zongo Ministry is only in Accra, they need to come to us and know our requirements, you cannot sit down in Accra and dictate for us."

The Zongo communities in Ghana are one of the largest but underdeveloped areas in the country.

President Akufo Addo, on assumption of power, instituted the Inner City and Zongo Development Ministry, in fulfilment of an election promise, to address the situation.

Three and a half years later, the target communities in Ashanti Region say there is little to write home about development spearheaded by the Ministry.

Chief Osman Bin Ahmed stated that “we are not politicians so we say it as it is, the president set up the Zongo Ministry to tackle the problems of the Zongo Communities so it's about time he (the minister) came to us to know what we need”.

He added that the Zongo Ministry operating only in Accra defeats its purpose.

He said that Zongo communities across the country have different problems hence the ministry cannot apply solutions from Accra to areas in Kumasi.

Education of the Zongo Youth

Chief Osman Bin Ahmed said the focus of the Zongo Community should be higher education for the youth, who will in the future advance and facilitate development in their respective areas deserve.

“We also want to see our people taken to countries like Cuba to read medicine, so they can come and help the community. They should also get the opportunity to read Engineering and other programs that at the end of the day will help the communities.”

The donation

Chief Osman made the comments when ex-President John Mahama donated a mini-bus and 50 bags of rice to the Zongo youth.

He said the Zongo Community appreciates such gesture but emphasized support, especially for higher education, must be the focus.

“We can say the donation is very good but as a leader, we want to see more scholarships for our people because the community is backwards if you compare with others…they always say that where there is education, there is development. So, yes, we need vehicles but we need a situation where our youth can receive higher education.”

The vehicle donation by former President Mahama is in fulfillment of a promise he made to the people in 2016.

National Coordinator for NDC Zongo Caucus, Alhaji Mohammed Mammah, presented the items on the former President's behalf.

“The Zongo Community is in our agenda to help every Zongo youth to be more than where they are today and this gesture is just the beginning."

"He promised and he has fulfilled it and he is going to do a lot to help the Zongo. And they have to support him to win the 2020 elections,” Alhaji Mammah said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Zongo Youth Association, Mahmud Alhaji Abdulai Charlie, says the vehicle will augment their activities.

He, therefore, advised members to adhere to the ban on social gathering in celebrating of Eid-ul Fitr to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting.