Community to get college for rural devt studies

Akrofu-Xeviwofe (V/R), May 8, GNA - An informal college for integrated rural development studies is being considered for Akrofu-Xeviwofe, in the Ho District.

Targeted intakes are chiefs, community leaders, assembly members and opinion leaders among others.

The concept would be undertaken under the aegis of the Eminent Citizens Foundation (ECAF), a local non-governmental organization with funding support from individuals and organizations abroad. Mr. Charles Agbelie, a spokesman for the local NGO told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Ho at the weekend that the curriculum of the college would include conflict management, information technology and cultural studies.

He said the courses were designed to address current socio-cultural and economic realities of the area, such as the petty intra and inter traditional area squabbles raging in the Volta Region. Mr. Agbelie said courses in local government strategies were expected to speed up community participation in decision-making as well as monitoring of projects at the local level.

He said the courses would also enable chiefs to harmonise cultural practices with modern day developmental needs and the law on human rights.

Mr. Agbelie said the youth would also be targeted for training in employable skills and the use of computers. He said initially, the premises of the Basic and Junior Secondary Schools whose building which were either being renovated or replaced would be used for the classes.

Mr Agbelie said duration of the courses would be up to six months and with classes to be organized in the afternoons only. He said instructors for the courses would be tapped from the countries tertiary institutions as well as professionals in private business and public institutions.

Mr Agbelie said if the concept proved successful it could be extended to other parts of the region and the country.