The 2020 Running mate of the NDC, Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang, paid a two-day private visit to the Northern region.
As part of her philanthropic works, she visited the Gushegu ‘witches camp’ to interact with them. The women, numbering about 125, were very happy to see Prof Naana as they danced and sang to welcome her. She joined in the dance.
Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang presented some food items and clothing to the women and advised all and sundry not to turn their backs on these people, but rather take good care of them and show them love.
She advised those who pursue and harass them, branding them as “witches” to remember that these women were once active members of the society and that they deserve to spend their old age in dignity.
Later in the day, Prof Naana made a stop over at Sang in the Mion district, where she inspected work in progress towards digging a borehole for the community.
The second day saw Prof Naana visit the children’s wards of the Tamale Teaching hospital. Here, she was given a tour of the facility after which she donated some sanitary and cleaning supplies including diapers, soap and food items to the children’s ward.
She later on visited the Tamale Market and interacted with the executives of the Market and some traders. She was apprised of some of the challenges that traders generally face and those that specifically affect business women in the market.
Prof Naana climaxed her visit by meeting with over 400 widows within the Tamale enclave, where she listened to their stories. Although their needs were many, borne out by even a cursory look at the facility that houses them, the women identified their greatest threats to their difficult lives as a lack of nourishment and independence.
In response, Prof Naana presented food items and sanitary material to them. She acknowledged that the widows carry the burden of grief in addition to their other problems, but shared words of encouragement and urged them not to give up. She also used the opportunity to highlight the importance of educating women.
While in the Northern region, Prof Naana paid courtesy calls on the Tampion Chief, Naa Alhassan Andani and also the Paramount Chief of Gushegu, Naa Abdulai Shitobo. She also paid a visit to the Regional chairman, Chief Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila, at his residence.
Prof was received and accompanied by Hon Abu KK, former deputy Minister for UW, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar, former deputy CEO of MASLOC, Henry Osei, PC for Oforikrom, and Madam Eunice Grant, an aide to Professor Opoku-Agyemang.
Though it was a private visit, some regional executives including deputy Secretary Saaka Ziblim, Regional organiser, deputy women organiser and zongo caucus coordinator all took time to join her on the visits.
