Kufuor attends durbar at Dzodze

The diversion of the proposed Trans- West African Highway through Tadzewu to Dzodze-Denyi in the Ketu district would not lead to the abandonment of Aflao which now serves as the country's major eastern gateway.

On the contrary, the government would tackle all uncompleted projects at Aflao to enhance its international status, President John Agyekum Kufuor said at a durbar held in his honour by the chiefs and people of the Ketu district at Dzodze on Saturday on the last leg of his three-day official visit to the Volta Region.

He explained that the country required another major international entry point in close proximity to Aflao to facilitate trade and development in the sub-region.

News reports in December last year on the diversion of the Accra-Aflao highway at Akatsi through Tadzewu to Dzodze-Penyi sparked off anxiety among the chief and people of Aflao and its environs who feared that the project would adversely affected them economically.

President Kufuor assured the people in the district that his the government would continue with rural electrification in the areas until all villages and towns are hooked to the national grid to promote small-scale industries and generate employment.

He said the government would support the Bio-Water project in the southern sector of the region to ensure that, with time, all rural communities in that part of the region would have potable water to help prevent water-borne diseases.

President Kufuor said more water canals would be constructed on the Afife Rice Irrigation project to assist expansion of the farm area for the cultivation of more rice to feed the domestic market and provide jobs for the people.

President Kufuor gave the assurance that the government would not allow petty politics to mar the efficiency of the district assemblies, saying that the government appointees who are doing well would be maintained while those found to be incapable would be replaced.

The President said the installation and destoolment of chiefs is the prerogative of kingmakers and the government would not interfere in such matters.

He therefore, called on the National House of Chiefs to be up to the task of dealing with chieftaincy matters.

The President said there are positive indications for building a strong economy, now that a firm foundation had been laid last year for a good take-off.

Togbe Dey 11, a chief of Dzodze on behalf of his colleagues praised the government for the work it has done so far to revamp the economy and to improve the lives of the people.