Mayor Ronnie C. Lewis was in Ghana for 14 days.
By William Yaw Owusu
Tuesday March 30, 2010
Ronnie C. Lewis, Mayor of the Village of Dolton in Cook County, Illinois in the United States of America has relished his visit to Ghana, describing it as “a lifetime experience which will remain in my memory for a long time.”
“I was in Ghana in 2007 for 10 days but my second visit has been wonderful. We have great people here and I am going to work hard to strengthen the bond of friendship between Dolton and the people of Ghana,” he said.
Mayor Lewis is in the country to monitor and pursue developmental projects that he initiated in some rural areas of the country.
His second visit to Ghana was facilitated by Baafuo Ossei Hyeamann Brantuo VI, the Manwerehene of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is known in private life as Dr. Anthony Ossei.
In an exclusive interview with the DAILY GUIDE in Accra on Sunday, Mayor Lewis, who is an African-American said, “I have a strong feeling that my ancestors came to America from Ghana and I am going to trace it to confirm it.”
“I have experienced Ghanaian culture and received warm receptions from Kings to the ordinary people. Ghanaian culture is very rich and the people are very nice, respectful and hospitable and are able to reach out to everybody.”
“I have learned to have a real affinity for those I have met particularly in the rural areas. Ghana has made an impression on me and I will go back to tell my people that there is a place in Africa where everybody must try to visit.”
Highlighting his development plans for Ghana, Mayor Lewis, who is in the state where President Barack Obama was once a Senator, said he has already initiated two sister-cities projects in Kadjebi in the Volta Region and Mawere in the Ashanti Region that would facilitate the development of such areas.
“I am trying to initiate projects that will be beneficial to the local people. I like to help deprived communities and that is exactly what I am trying to do,” he said.
He said he has already formed a non-profit organization to raise funds for developmental projects in Ghana, saying that “I am getting a borehole expert to come down to help the people.”
“I am initiating exchange programmes for students in deprived communities and I know it will help to promote education among the youth.”
Mayor Lewis, who was made Nkosuohene (Development Chief) at Dodoo in Kadjebi with the stool name Osabarima Annor I, noted that his priorities for the people of Ghana are in areas such as water and sanitation, education and empowerment.
He said the local authorities must work hard to create more jobs to give the people some sense of responsibility and security.
Mayor Ronnie C. Lewis is currently serving his first elected term as Mayor of the Village of Dolton.
He was elected by the residents of the Village of Dolton in April 7, 2009.
He attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Education and obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.
His agenda for the Village of Dolton includes a strong emphasis on job creation through economic development, improvement in public safety, public participation and core investments in infrastructure.
He welcomed businesses to the Village of Dolton that would revitalize the community.
Mayor Lewis has assisted in bringing quality businesses to the Village of Dolton such as CVS Pharmacy, which opened in 2008 and Food 4 Less in 2009.
Also see : www.dailyguideghana.com
1 comment:
Mayor Lewis' visit to Asante was historic and full of excitement. After a wonderful reception at Kumasi Airport and Manwerehene's Palace he was whisked to Manhyia Palace in the Company of three DCEs MP Appiah-Kubi of Atwima Kwanwoma and reps of the Metro CE; and 12 Manwere Chiefs and their elders to meet with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.
A business meeting was held at Kumasi Metro Assembly followed by a tour of the Adiebeba Metro School in a suburb- one of Manwerehene's towns.
On the following day a clean-up was undertaken in Manhyia with the Mayorthe team continued to Manhyia Museum. A traditional lunch was served for the Mayor and his aide and after, the team visited the National Cultural Centre where the Dir., Mr Agyei organised a traditional minifestival of Music and Dance.
On Akwasidae a ram was slaughtered in the Village of Atwima Heman. He joined Otumfuo for the Celebration of Akwasidae and HM Otumfuo hosted Mayor Lewis and his team to a sumptous lunch at the palace.
On Monday in one bus the guests and the hosts visited six Manwere towns Aduamoa, Afrancho, Adumasa, Foase, Koben and Nyinahin where
he witnessed at first hand the people of Manwere. we returned to Kumasi at 11.00pm!
On Tuesday a one-day seminar on HIV/AIDS organised by the Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem Health Foundation was held in Heman where a grand durbar of Manwere chiefs and people was organised for him before departure. He was decorated by the DCE of Atwima Kwanwoma, Hon Tony Nyame and The Manwere Community presented an Asipim(Chiefs Stool)to Mayor Lewis with Ate cushion.
The Mayor on his part presented a Flag of the Village of Dolton to the Manwere Community.
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