The Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) has welcomed the appointment of Mr Wisdom Osei Boamah as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Atwima Nwabiagya South, describing it as a strong signal of government’s commitment to inclusive leadership and the recognition of technical and vocational expertise.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of GNAG, Alhaji Luqman Mohammed Nuhu Appiadu, said President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to appoint a practicing artisan to head a municipal assembly marked a significant shift from the traditional preference for purely academic or elite backgrounds in public leadership.
Alhaji Appiadu made the remarks at a sod-cutting ceremony at Atwima-Mim to commence the construction of a clinic and nurses’ quarters, a project being undertaken by the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Assembly using funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
He noted that artisans, through years of hands-on training, business management and problem-solving, possessed practical leadership skills that were often overlooked in governance. According to him, the appointment of Mr Boamah demonstrated that technical know-how and life experience were equally valuable assets in driving local development.
The GNAG Regional Chairman further pointed to Mr Boamah’s unanimous confirmation by assembly members as evidence of broad confidence in his leadership and capacity to advance the municipality’s transformation agenda. He commended the MCE for what he described as a strong performance within his first seven months in office.
Beyond the appointment, Alhaji Appiadu outlined plans by GNAG to deepen skills development in the municipality through a free fitting apprenticeship scheme for young people, to complement the government’s Free Apprenticeship Programme. He disclosed that the association was developing a 26-acre artisanal hub in the area, which would serve as both a training centre and a symbol of appreciation to the President.
The proposed hub, he said, had already been affiliated with the Otumfuo Education Fund and would provide both theoretical and practical training for youth from Atwima Nwabiagya South and surrounding communities.
He appealed to government agencies, technical and vocational training institutions and other stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that empowering artisans and skilled workers was essential for sustainable development and inclusive national growth.
