Minister's Tour Overshadowed By Traditional Rites

AN INSPECTION tour of projects conducted by the Eastern regional minister in the Akuapem North district was over-shadowed by courtesy calls on traditional rulers.

This was because the chiefs and people of Akuapem traditional area were performing initiation rites to usher in their annual Odwira festival.

The chiefs and people who had gathered in their various palaces took the opportunity of the courtesy call by the minister to voice out their grievances about the lack of certain amenities in their areas.

They complained about the lack of potable drinking, electricity and telecommunication facilities, among others.

Reacting to their concerns, the regional minister, Dr. Francis Osafo-Mensah explained that the purpose of his visit was to acquaint himself with the projects being undertaken in the districts and find out what still needs to be done.

He attributed the slow pace of development to lack of funds but assured them that projects would take off as soon as funds are made available.

The regional minister urged the chiefs to be patient as government is committed to ensuring development in the rural areas.

Giving an overview of projects undertaken so far in the district, the DCE, Dr. Eugenia Danquah-Quist, disclosed that 190 projects are ongoing in various communities across the district.

She mentioned water and sanitation, construction of markets, access roads as well as the acquisition of a 123-acre farmland for the cultivation of oil palm at Kwamoso as some of the projects implemented so far.

Due to courtesy calls paid by the regional minister on the chiefs, only seven communities were visited out of the 18 slated for inspection.

The communities included, Akropong, Larteh and Mamfe. Others were Amanokrom, Mampong, Tutu and Obosomase.

Projects inspected there were classroom blocks, a Ghana Education Service (GES) district office, KVIPs as well as a 200 bed capacity Orthopaedic hospital at Mampong which is being sponsored by an African-American Philanthropist.