Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar and the leader of the New Force Movement, has reiterated his ambitious plan to dredge the sea to the landlocked city of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
Despite facing criticism for his proposal during his campaign tour, Bediako remains steadfast in his vision, emphasizing the potential of water bodies to transform lives globally.
In an interview on Accra-based Citi TV, the independent presidential aspirant defended his proposal, asserting its feasibility if he is elected. He highlighted the significance of water bodies in enhancing development, citing examples of major global cities such as London, New York, and Dubai, which are all centered around water.
Cheddar emphasized that water is essential for transportation, irrigation, and fostering connections within communities. He pointed to existing water infrastructure projects in other countries as evidence of the viability of his proposal.
Addressing the skepticism surrounding his plan, he acknowledged the right of people to criticize but challenged his detractors to offer better solutions. He emphasized the need for innovative thinking to address Ghana’s developmental challenges, particularly in utilizing its water resources for the benefit of its citizens.
“Talking about the sea coming to Kumasi, and everything, I think there are a lot of people in this country who have travelled. Because the biggest part of our population is the youth, I think they are also enlightened to see. If you pick the 50 best citizens in the world today, press one button after one, all of the 50 is developed around water. All of them, England, London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Dubai, it’s all water. Water is life, it gives irrigation, and it gives a lot of things.
“Sea is for transportation, it is part of the reasons why it’s needed, it connects the world. Rivers and lagoons connect the regions, so you dredge them as you see in England, their canals, ferries, it brings some sort of connections within communities and developments of these areas. Tamale, if we’re able to connect any of the water bodies, that weather will come down.”
Elaborating on his vision, he said, “There’s River Pra goes to the sea in Cape Coast and goes all the way to Kumasi. There’s River Tano, which goes all the way to Takoradi, Elubo. When you go to Ivory Coast, there’s a sea and there’s a big dredge, that they brought the water into a river body and it’s in the middle of the city. These things are possible, it’s everywhere in the world.
“I’m talking about the biggest vision that will change this nation, it’s taking Ghanaians 100 years for them not to think of what to do with their water. We need to use our water for transportation, irrigation and open the waters.”
Asked if he said he would dredge the sea to Kumasi, he affirmed, “Yes I said that I would dredge.”
“People have the right to describe, define, and insult you when you make decisions like this. My only problem is that the people who are saying that better be intelligent enough to do better than who they are trying to bring down.”
Despite facing backlash, Bediako remains undeterred in his vision to dredge the sea to Kumasi, viewing it as a transformative initiative that could significantly impact the nation’s future development.
