From Isaac Akwetey-Okunor
The Kingmaker of the Aduana Clan of the Akuapem South Traditional area, Nana Safrotwe Obuobi Kakradae II, has called on colleague traditional leaders to support the government’s efforts to dispense socio-economic development.
According to the Kingmaker, who is known in private life as Moses Yaw Aidoo, despite the fact that development was the core mandate of the government, it was imperative that leaders and traditional authorities within their communities take it upon themselves to support its efforts.
He made the appeal at a short but impressive ceremony during the presentation of a GH¢60,000 ambulance to the Nsawam Government Hospital, through the instrumentality of Stitching King In Ghana Foundation, a non-governmental organisation formed by the Kingmaker.
The programme was attended by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Akuapem South Assembly, Mark Dompreh, traditional authorities, families of the benefactor, and staff of the hospital.
Throwing light on the rational for presenting the ambulance, he said he was most often saddened by the way people struggled to be conveyed to health facilities to access medical attention during accidents.
This informed him to contact members of the foundation in the Netherlands to consider getting an ambulance to the hospital.
Apart from the one presented, the Founder of Stitching King Foundation further pledged to present 20 more ambulances to other hospitals in the country.
The 40 year old Kingmaker, entrepreneur and married with three children, averred that he was motivated to build the foundation to help disadvantaged people and communities, based on four thematic areas.
These are where he came from, education, sanitation and health.
He mentioned that one motivation and inspiration for great achievers was the fact that they look into their past which further guides them to navigate their way to the path of success.
Sharing with the Eastern File how he started, the young and hard working Kingmaker disclosed that he did not have life easy, as he had to pass through thick and thin to reach his present status, he, therefore, decided to give back to society.
“It will be unfair and a sense of selfishness if I do not share the numerous opportunities and advantages around to, at least, change and improve on the living conditions of my people,” Nana Kakadae II mentioned.
The man, who holds Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering and Strategic Consultant, further revealed that when he assumed office as chief of the area, he vowed to use the network he had to develop his community.
“I have come to realise that, in Ghana, it is difficult for somebody to use his or her talent to the fullest if that person has not got any position, and because of this, I promised my people using the opportunity they have offered for their development,” he stated.
According to the Kingmaker, in the end, it was not the years in one’s life that mattered, but rather one’s life in the years, hence he had contacted some investors outside the country to assist and invest into the construction of educational infrastructure in the area.
Acknowledging that education was the most powerful weapon used to change the world, the Kingmaker and philanthropist said he aspired using education to change the socio-economic aspirations of his people.
“I know where I am coming from, it was not easy for me, and today, if I have it, it would be just appropriate to give back to the society that has made me who I am, to also encourage and tell somebody that he or she can also make it,” he noted.
To him, to see the change he wanted in the traditional area, there was the need for him to set the pace for others to emulate, hence his humble presentation and philanthropist work in the area and beyond.
On health, he continued that a healthy body was a healthy mind, adding that productivity could not be attained if the people were sick.
In the area of sanitation, he further added that the basic things that bring out accelerated development were clean environments, since people would not easily fall sick.
Nana Kakradae has constructed a 12-seater Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit (KVIP), school and clinic for communities within his jurisdiction and its environs.
Meanwhile, the MCE, who received the keys to the ambulance and later handed them over to the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr. Kofi Ablorh, assured Nana, on behalf of the hospital, to take good care of the facility.
He also appealed to other individuals and corporate bodies that are in the position to support, to complement the efforts of the government towards it development agenda.