Brong-Ahafo launches Golden Jubilee anniversary

Sunyani, April 3, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said on Friday that irrigation dams and technical know-how were necessary requirements to harness the huge agricultural potential of the region.

He said that would help farmers in the region to increase their production to serve as a source of raw materials for the establishment of agro-based industries.

"Improvement in agriculture is on the priority list of the National Democratic Congress government and the Brong-Ahafo Region will definitely get its fair share of programmes and projects earmarked for the agricultural sector".

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo was speaking at the launch of the Golden Jubilee anniversary celebration of the creation of Brong-Ahafo Region. The region, then known as Western Ashanti, was created on April 4, 1959 by the Convention People's Party government led by the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The year long programme under the theme: "Brong-Ahafo at 50 -the achievements, challenges and prospects" would include public lectures and symposia, quiz competition for junior and senior high schools, essay competitions for second cycle and tertiary institutions and clean-up campaigns.

It would also involve press conference on the anniversary, sports competitions, trade fair dubbed "Dwa Kese 2009" to showcase the economic and business potentials of the region as well as grand durbar of chiefs and people of the region as climax and a non-denominational thanks-giving service to end it.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo appealed to the people to use the occasion to take stock of past achievements, challenges and prospects to enable them come out with pragmatic and systematic approach to tap all available resources for the rapid socio-economic development of the region. He mentioned the varied tourism and investment potentials of the region such as national parks, waterfalls, animal sanctuaries and caves, shrines and festivals.

Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, the Paramount Chief of Kukuom and President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, appealed to the people to be proud as citizens of the region and make available their potentials and resources to propel the development of the area. He said the region lagged behind in education but disputes, especially chieftaincy disputes, were retarding the progress of the region.

Osahene Aterkyi therefore emphasised the need for the people to use the period to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the region, identify the shortfalls and make amends to meet national standards, aspirations and expectations.

Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, Paramount Chief of Prang and Chairman of the Planning Committee, said the committee needed enough resources to successfully carry out the various activities.

He appealed to all citizens of the region, both at home and abroad, as well as corporate organisations and business concerns within and outside the area to contribute both in cash and in kind to make the celebration a memorable one.

An appeal for funds towards financing of the anniversary yielded about GHC18, 000.00 in cash and pledges and out of it Mr. Ignatius Baafuor Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West and former Regional Minister pledged GHC 12,000.00 on behalf of the regional parliamentary caucus.