Former President and NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama visited the Ga Mantse’s Palace on Thursday as part of his campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region.
He was warmly received by King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and the Ga Traditional Council, including chiefs, queen mothers, and opinion leaders.
Mahama expressed gratitude for the royal welcome and praised the Ga Traditional Council for their rich cultural display and meaningful discussions.
He emphasized the critical role of traditional authorities in Ghana’s governance and development agenda, stating their partnership is key to preserving Ghana’s heritage and boosting cultural tourism.
“Our traditional festivals are more than celebrations; they provide opportunities to promote cultural tourism, uplift local economies, and showcase our heritage to the world,” Mahama said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to working with traditional leaders to enhance the visibility and impact of these festivals.
Nonetheless, he highlighted plans from the NDC’s Resetting Ghana manifesto to increase traditional leaders’ representation in decentralised governance structures, enabling them to contribute more actively to policies that reflect community needs.
The NDC presidential candidate described traditional leaders as custodians of Ghana’s heritage and key stakeholders in the nation’s development. He pledged to deepen collaborations with chiefs nationwide to foster inclusive governance and uplift communities.
“Our chiefs hold invaluable insights into the aspirations of our people. By empowering them to take more active roles in governance, we honour our cultural roots while building a better Ghana,” he added.