Ketu South MCE Launches Talent Development Fund to Support Youth, Students and Artisans.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu South, Mr. Nicholas Kwabla Worklachie, has launched the Ketu South Talent Development Fund (TADEF), an initiative aimed at supporting brilliant-but-needy students, young people in sports and promising artisans across the municipality.

According to Mr. Worklachie, the initiative was conceived in response to the growing number of requests for educational, sporting and other forms of assistance he has received since assuming office.

He explained that TADEF would help reactivate a vital sponsorship scheme for talented but financially disadvantaged young people while complementing existing scholarship and capacity-building initiatives being undertaken by the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie.

As an initial personal contribution towards the sustainability of the fund, Mr. Worklachie pledged to contribute two months of his salary to seed the initiative.

He further disclosed plans to engage individuals, cooperative bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), contractors, philanthropists, members of the diaspora and civil society organisations to support and expand the fund.

He said the success of TADEF would depend on collective commitment and urged stakeholders to see the initiative as a shared responsibility towards developing the human capital of Ketu South.

The launch was coupled with a political forum on leadership and capacity building under the theme: “Political Leadership, Decent Campaign Strategies and Capacity Building in the Political Space in Ketu South.”

Speaking on the theme, the Municipal Chief Executive for Keta, Hon. Wisdom Seade, urged political actors to practise politics without discrimination.

He cautioned that discriminating against people because of their political positions or affiliations could ultimately damage the political careers of those who engage in such practices.

Hon. Seade also stressed the importance of managing campaign messages responsibly. He warned politicians against making promises they knew they could not fulfil merely to win votes, describing such practices as dangerous to both politicians and the electorate.

He further advised political actors to manage their ambitions and understand their appropriate stages in their political careers.

According to him, politicians should not rush for positions simply because others are progressing. He said political ambition must be matched with preparation, experience and genuine service.

Hon. Seade also condemned the use of insults in politics, noting that politics characterised by insults would only destroy the future of those involved rather than contribute positively to society.

Mr. Worklachie, for his part, urged political actors and residents to work collectively towards the development of Ketu South.

He said under the current NDC administration led by President John Dramani Mahama, development programmes and policies were being structured within a coordinated framework, stressing that individuals could not simply act independently without regard for established structures.

He therefore encouraged stakeholders to channel their energies into building the municipality rather than attempting to tarnish the image of others.

The Deputy High Commissioner to Togo, His Excellency Bright Kwaku Kumordzi, urged political participants to understand their individual capacities and work diligently within them.

He advised aspiring politicians not to copy others or pursue positions merely because they saw their colleagues advancing.

“If your capacity is to be a leader at the branch or zonal level, stay there, work and let people identify your dedication and hard work,” he advised.

He added that politicians should also be realistic about the length of time they could dedicate to public service and should use whatever opportunity they received to make a meaningful impact.

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, called on constituents and party members to rally behind the party and give leaders the necessary support to promote the growth and development of the constituency.

She stressed the importance of unity and urged members to avoid condemnation and practices that could create divisions within the party.

Hon. Gomashie called on stakeholders to put aside selfish ambitions and work together towards building a stronger Ketu South.

The programme brought together NDC Constituency executives, ward coordinators, former executives, zonal chairpersons, zonal women organisers, party cadres and Assembly Members, among other stakeholders.

The launch of TADEF is expected to provide an additional avenue for talented young people, students and artisans in Ketu South who face financial challenges to receive support and develop their potential.

By Courage Edwin Amenuda