General News of Tuesday, 24 September 2019

Source: Daniel Kaku

'Vote Akufo-Addo, Catherine Afeku for more development' - Osafo-Maafo urges

Senior Minister, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo Senior Minister, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo

The Senior Minister, Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo has pleaded with the chiefs and people of Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency in the Western Region to vote massively for President Akufo-Addo in the 2020 general elections to be retained as President of Ghana.

He also appealed to them to vote massively for the sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Catherine Afeku to maintain her seat and bring more developmental projects to the area.

Mr. Osafo Maafo made this appeal on Saturday, September 14, 2019, when he delivered a speech as a special guest of honour at the Kundum Festival of the chiefs and people of the Axim Traditional Area, which was attended by other government functionaries.

He disclosed that the Akufo-Addo-led government was poised to develop the area. Osafo Marfo seized the opportunity to mention some developmental projects undertaken by the government in the area; the construction of Axim Sea Defence Wall, construction of Axim township roads, construction of Axim mini sports complex, construction of Axim fishing harbour, construction of DVLA offices and others.

The Senior Minister also said that government was constructing Nsien township and Nsien SHS campus roads, and had brought cocoa District Offices to Gwira Aiyinasi.

He, therefore seized the opportunity to hint that government was going to bring Community Mining to five communities in the northern part of the Municipality to create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth.

The five communities are; Gwira Kutukrom, Gwira Banso, Gwira Eshiem, Gwira Bamianko and Gwira Tumantu.

"We are bringing Community Mining in five areas in the Nzema East Municipality thus; Gwira Kutukrom Gwira Banso, Gwira Eshiem, Gwira Bamianko and Gwira Tumantu. Government is poised to do Small Scale Mining to preserve the land and create job opportunities for the youth", he said.

He assured the gathering that very soon the contractor would begin work on the Axim Fishing Harbour.

The Senior Minister said Catherine Afeku has contributed immensely towards these developmental projects in the area.

He described Catherine Afeku as a "lobbyist", hardworking and wise woman.


"Catherine Afeku, we urge you to work hard and we will also help you to retain this seat in 2020 and also maintain it for at least four terms", he assured.

"Please Nananom, in 2020, let your people elect Catherine Afeku again for us, because she is a very hard-working MP and Minister", he added.

He used the occasion to call on the people to support the Referendum of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and recommended the current MCE to them.


On her part, Catherine Afeku, the MP for the area, thanked the Senior Minister for honouring the invitation to celebrate the 2019 Kundum Festival with them.

She also thanked the chiefs and people for organising memorable events to improve the celebration of the festival.

She urged the gathering especially her constituents to live in peace and unity whilst reaffirming government’s commitment to construct the Fishing Harbour at Axim.

She hailed President Akufo-Addo for developing the Axim Victoria Park into a Ceremonial Ground.

She also commended President Akufo-Addo for the construction of Axim township roads and a mini sports complex at Axim.

She, therefore seized the opportunity to urge the gathering to support President Akufo-Addo and retain him in 2020.

On his part, the Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Council, Awulae Attibrukusu III, seized the occasion to plead with the Akufo-Addo-led government to as matter of urgency build an ultra-modern Theatre for the Axim Government Hospital to save lives.

Axim Government Hospital was established in 1925 and currently serves a total population of 75,105, but has a limited bed capacity of 89.

The hospital was next to Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the 80's and 90's but now can be counted among the least developed hospitals in the region due to inadequate infrastructure and equipment to address its operational duties.

The Paramount Chief thanked the Senior Minister for honouring their invitation to climax the festival with them and urged him to send their appeal to President Akufo-Addo to come to their aid as soon as possible.

The festival which is celebrated by the Ahantas and Nzema people of the Western Region, is an occasion to render Thanksgiving to God for abundance of food at the end of the harvest period.

The week-long festival saw activities such as clean up exercise, football gala competition, Miss Kundum pageant, cooking competition, Marathon, Agro fie, street carnival jam, grand durbar, thanksgiving service, among others.

This year's celebration was on the theme, "Promoting our traditional values through Tourism, Arts and Culture".