The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region who doubles as the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called Napo, has been honoured by artisans in the constituency for his relentless support to them.

The Mathew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO),receiving the citation from the Artisans.

According to the leadership of the artisanal group , the artisans have benefited from a training programme sponsored by the MP. The over 300 artisans comprise hairdressers, fashion designers, make-up artists, among other artisans.

Mr.Isaac Mensah,who spoke on behalf of the Artisans said apart from paying for various skills training programmes for the artisans, Napo has also donated industry machines, hairdryers, sewing machines, washing basins, including some pieces of equipment, to the beneficiary trainees to enable them to start work as part of his economic empowerment programmes.

A section of the Artisans present at the event

Speaking at a short but colourful ceremony held at Abbys Park on Friday, 27th October 2023 to honour Dr Prempeh, the leadership of the artisans said “we decided to come together to surprise Napo with a citation and some of the products we’re currently producing after the training to serve as our appreciation for his support to us and to encourage him to continue to do more for others.”

NAPO speaking at the event

Richard Ofori-Atta, Manhyia South constituency chairman and other executives with Dr.Napo

The citation reads, “May posterity reward your non-discriminatory leadership. Fashion designers, hairdressers and make-up artists in the MANHYIA SOUTH CONSTITUENCY say Ayikoo!!!”

In his response, the visibly shocked Manhyia South MP, after personally receiving the citation, said “I’m very humbled by this honour. I wish to first of all thank the leadership of my party (NPP) and the constituency and polling station executives for the honour and opportunity given to me to serve as MP for Manhyia South.”

”We all know that it is unusual to see a huge gathering like this purposely to show appreciation to their Member of Parliament for what he has been able to do for his constituents but today, you have demonstrated to me that there are still people who appreciate what their leaders do for them,” he added.

The MP, who is well known for his unflinching support to his constituents, said “usually you see many people gathered like this when some disaster or incident has occurred and the MP invites them to offer them support but this time round, it is the constituents who have invited their MP to honour him for a good work done for them and I really appreciate that.”

The Energy Minister said their honour had encouraged him to continue to do more to help empower the youth to acquire the needed vocational skills as part of his strategy to fight unemployment, especially among those who didn’t get opportunity go to school.

He said he always tells his colleague politicians and all those aspiring to lead from the electoral area to the highest office of the land that leadership is about serving and everyone who wants to lead must prepare to serve his people…

Touching on the forthcoming parliamentary primaries of the party expected to be held next February, Napo said anyone who is qualified to contest is welcome, adding “but I can assure you that I will protect my seat and will not sit down for anyone to unseat me. And I will never embark on politics of insults. Anyone who is a card-bearing member is welcome to contest me but I can promise you that anyone who comes to contest me will definitely lose.”

To the artisans, he said “I need your support not for the upcoming elections alone. My intention is to empower everyone to help reduce unemployment because no committed artisan would ever go hungry and with your support, we could help many more.”

Present at the event were Richard Ofori, chairperson for the occasion; Richard Ofori-Atta aka Tomtom, Manhyia South NPP Constituency chairman, and his constituency executives – Samuel Adams, Okuffo Boadi, Yaw Owusu Banahene, among other zonal heads of the artisans.Source: tntnewspapergh.com