President Mahama’s brings his Reset Agenda to Ghanaians in the U.S.

PAMELA APPEA

 Over 1,000 Ghanaians in the U.S. including religious leaders, civic and cultural organizations  packed into the New York Society for Ethical Culture Adler Hall,  on September 25 in a Town Hall event with H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

The event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations and the Consulate General of Ghana, New York.

In his presentation  themed “The Reset Agenda: The Role of the Ghanaian Diaspora,” President Mahama highlighted the economy; plans to expand the National Health Insurance program; improving access and affordability for health coverage; and improving infrastructure, among others.

 “Next year, in 2028, we will launch the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) Policy. Any Ghanaian who wants any of these facilities is not required to pay anything about the cost of that care. Just present yourself and they will treat you free of charge.

If you have illnesses like cardiovascular disease, renal failure, cancer and more, you’ll need to go to a district hospital.

He emphasized that Ghanaians must have the appropriate identity card in order to access free primary health care for health conditions.

He also spoke at length on a range of health conditions, including  diabetes, breast cancer, etc. that may be due to sedentary lifestyle. “Every Ghanaian should be tested at least once a year,” he remarked.

The president advised Ghanaians in the diaspora to make sound dietary choices in order to optimize their health needs. He cautioned against dependence on processed food that is increasing becoming frequent in some homes. 

During  Q & A. session, the president explained the rationale behind his government’s 24-Hour Economy. He  enumerated challenges that confront illegal mining (galamsey) and steps taken to mitigate it.  The president was optimistic that the fight against galamsey would eventually be won.

 President Mahama also  severally answered varying questions, such as his commitment  to  ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM);  ending the double-track system in Ghana schools; and producing and manufacturing prescription drugs locally. 

He emphatically denounced the Atlantic Slave Trade and called for restitution, reparations, return of artifacts, and related  issues. “We are not seeking vengeance. We are seeking healing.

But healing must come with truth. Healing must come with acceptance. Healing must come with apology, and healing must come with repair,” he philosophized.

President Mahama suggested to critics  – who charge that he has unjustly put people in jail for criticizing him –  that “there is a new term called information integrity. The media landscape has changed. What do we want to do with the new media? Today, we don’t have that traditional media that we knew.

A “new” media called Tik Tok. To make sure that we have information integrity even with Tik Tok. You should not be able to put your phone out and say whatever you want,” “We are a country of free expression.”

He pointed out that Ghanaians have taken lack of public decorum to a new level, insults and “vile,” death threats. Should the police get involved or not get involved, he rhetorically asked.

“I don’t mind if people  show their face and own what they are saying. This skin (referring to himself) is a crocodile skin, so if you insult me, I don’t mind.

I am doing what I can for my country and my continent. I will do what I can for Ghana and Africa,” he added.

President Mahama acknowledged that sometimes the police can go to the extreme. “Once you start arresting, you don’t know where to stop.”  He further said he was unaware of such  arrests but acknowledged that it was possible that mistakes were made during  targeted operation.

According to the Media Foundation for West Africa, speech-related arrests during the first 16 months of Mahama’s second term may have potentially outpaced the entire eight-year tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Some Ghanaians were honored with awards and citations at the event for their meritorious services to the (Ghanaian) community and beyond.

These included but not limited to Mr. Mohammed Mardah, a longtime activist and leader in the New York Community and current Board Member at African Advisory Council to Bronx Borough President, and Dr. Andrew O. Baddoo, a New Jersey-based nephrologist and President of Ghana Association for Medical Aid (GAMA), a non-profit medical organization that embarks on a free yearly  medical missions to Ghana.

President John Dramani Mahama in his presentation reiterated his position against running for a third term saying, “it is not likely I will stand for elections again.”

The colorful event was preceded by traditional dancers and performers.