Cape Coast, March 4, GNA - Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister on Wednesday said media personnel had a stake in socio-economic development and gave the assurance to welcome constructive criticisms in pursuance of progress and development of the Region. Interacting with journalists in Cape Coast, Madam Benyiwa-Doe said the myriad of problems in the Region required "all hands on deck" to help transform and sustain a socio-economically vibrant Region because it had all the needed resources for development.

She pledged to focus on tourism, agriculture, education and health to help solve the under-development, poverty and other social issues militating against the welfare of the people. On agriculture, Madam Benyiwa-Doe said Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) had begun research into problems facing the sector to address them holistically and the fishing industry would be given much attention.

She said many complaints on premix fuel, was creating much tension in fishing communities along the coast due to "mistrust and misgivings" and efforts were being made in collaboration with MOFA to administer it fairly and transparent.

Madam Benyiwa-Doe noted that due to logistics problems personnel of Ghana Navy could not deal with the issue of pair trawling, but reiterated that government would address the issue. She pledged the Central Regional Coordinating Council's (CRCC)'s commitment to offer interventions that would help boost the agricultural sector to generate more employment for the youth.

On tourism, Madam Benyiwa-Doe said more impetus would be given to that sector to enhance its growth and Central Region Development Corporation (CEDECOM) would be re-activated to carry out its task. On education, she said the Region was endowed with many good schools and efforts would be made to assist pupils in the Region to attain good grades to continue their education and urged parents to discipline their children and invest in their education. Madam Benyiwa-Doe pledged to encourage good sanitation and environmental practices to help promote good health among people in the Region.