Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has appealed to President Nana Akuffo-Addo to reconsider his decision to spend his annual leave in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa who is ranking member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs committee believes it is humiliating and misplaced for the President to spend his annual leave in the United kingdom when he could use the opportunity to show his commitment to the “Year of Return” to promote domestic tourism.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed this in a write-up after parliament was officially notified of President Akufo-Addo’s decision to take a one week leave and spend it in the UK.
The North Tongu MP is disappointed that the President does not see his annual leave as an opportunity to encourage Ghanaians abroad to celebrate the 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were taken abroad in their motherland but rather still showing a preference for the west.
He advised all Ministers and appointees to consider spending their annual leave period in Ghana as he beseeches President Akuffo-Addo to do same to help boost domestic tourism and impact the local economy.
“The “Year of Return” was announced by the President Nana Akuffo- Addo this year, which he has travelled extensively at considerable cost to the tax payer in a promotion effort and primarily to invite Africans in the Diaspora to return home to the motherland as we mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were forcibly taken abroad; it is rather embarrassingly ironic and indeed smacks of policy contradiction for the President to be spending his annual leave in the United Kingdom when he should be using the opportunity of the “Year of Return” to promote domestic tourism and thereby showcase to Africans in the Diaspora some of the amazing places in Ghana they should be considering to visit if they avail themselves of the opportunity to return home,”
Story by: Pokuaa Berfi-Boadu/Radiogoldlive.com
