Kufuor pledges commitment to develop the country

Jukwa(C/R), Nov. 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said Government would remain focused and ensured that its policies and programmes for the socio-economic development of the country, especially the rural areas were achieved.

He said the people of Ghana gave the Government under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) the power to enhance their living standards and they would not be disappointed with the establishment of the necessary infrastructure for development.

President Kufuor made the pledge when addressing a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Denkyira Traditional Area to climax celebration of their Annual Odwira festival at Jukwa in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower Denkyira District.

"I am determined to ensure that Ghanaians no matter their political affiliations benefit from the national cake," he added. The festival coincided with the 50th anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Odeefoo Boa Amponsem III as Denkyirehene. It is celebrated to appease the ancestral stool and gods and also serve as homecoming and family reunion for citizens living outside the traditional area.

President Kufuor said provision of infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme, Capitation grant, School Feeding Programme, increased cocoa prices and benefits from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) were some of the policies and programmes being implemented by Government to improve living standards of Ghanaians.

He pledged Government's commitment to ensure that rule of law; freedom and justice prevailed in the country and commended the role played by the people of Denkyira in the nation's history.

President Kufuor announced that rehabilitation of Jukwa town roads had been awarded on contract and gave the assurance that the area would be provided with the needed support and assistance for a face-lift.

Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, Denkyirehene, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the Government for implementing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and other programmes that had enhanced the living standards of the people.

He appealed to Government for assistance to construct dormitories for Jukwa, Dunkwa-On-Offin and Twifo Praso Senior Secondary and Technical Schools.

The Denkyirahene in addition called for the expansion of facilities at Hemang Senior Secondary/ Technical School and establishment of a Teacher Training College at Dunkwa-on-Offin.

He stressed the need for the expansion of facilities at Jukwa health centre, upgrading of Diaso health centre into a hospital and the provision of a generator to Dunkwa Government Hospital as well as the establishment of a nursing training college at Dunkwa-On-Offin.

Odeefuo Boa Amponsem expressed concern about the deplorable roads in the area and appealed for the rehabilitation of the Twifo-Praso-Dunkwa-On-Offin main road, Ayaase-Asikuma, Ayanfuri-Diaso and Twifo-Praso-Assin Fosu roads.

On investments, he urged Government to review the divestiture of Continental Goldfields Company and expand Jukwa market to boost economic activities in the area