Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - A Korean group, designing a strategic development planning for the Ahanta West District, on Wednesday presented its final draft report on the first phase of the project, to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development and Rural Development.

The Group known as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), also signed the Record of Discussion (ROD) for the second phase report for the project, which is expected to span over a period of 15 months.

Mr Ahn Dong Won, Vice-President of Koica, in an address said the company upon receiving proposals from the Ghana Government had conducted the pre-feasibility of the project.

This he said was through executing preliminary survey and subsequently confirming details of the project by signing the Record of Discussion stipulating terms of references including the budget scale, work scope and implementation schedules, with the Ministry and the Ahanta West District Assembly.

Mr. Win said that the project consisted of topographical mapping for the District, Strategic Planning for the District Development, Training in Korea for Ghanaian officials and the provision of vehicles and office equipment with 12 months time frame over a two-year period.

He said the District, which was located at the south-western part of the Western Region, had become strategic and offers bright prospects of development in the face of the oil find in the region.

Mr Won said with an estimated 600 million barrels of crude oil reserved in the area, many local as well as international oil developers, real estate and tourism companies had already shown interest in investing in both the District and its surrounding communities, therefore the Strategic Development Plan was to meet such development demands.

He said since its agreement with the Ghana Government, KOICA had awarded the execution of the project to KWAAK E.S.P.R.I, another Korean company and Korea Land and Housing Corporation would be in charge of project management consultation.

Mr Won commended the leadership of the country and the region for the strong will and commitment towards development in the District.

Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Deputy Minister, Local Government and Rural Development and Rural Development, expressed appreciation for the Korean Government as well as KOICA and its partners for the support, which has culminated to the final draft report on the project.

He assured the company of the government's intention of working with the report as a blue-print to facilitate the needed face lift and development of the District and also adopt strategies to market the report to attract investors to develop the area.

Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah also expressed gratitude to the Korean Government and KOICA for the re-approval of the second phase of the project.

He said Ghana was committed to the implementation of the project but called for continuous collaboration between Ghana and the Korean Government as well as KOICA for the mutual benefit of both countries in areas of development and poverty alleviation.

Mr Lee Sang Hak, Korean Ambassador to Ghana, said the decision of its government to launch the second phase of the project, which was a rare case, was part of the decision to strengthen the bilateral relation between the two countries and exhibit true commitment to assist Ghana in its development effort.

He said the Embassy would put in efforts to facilitate the process and support the project to ensure the realization of the vision.

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