Opinion leaders strategise for development in Western Region.

Busua (W/R), Sept. 8, GNA- Mrs. Rebecca E. Dadzie, Western Regional Director of Education on Friday, said educated people in the area must use their knowledge and skills to help transform the Region. She said though the Region was abound with several economic and natural resources, its educational potential were presently under utilised. Mrs Dadzie said these at the launch of a blue print on the Region at Busua in the Ahanta West District on Friday. It was attended by District Chief Executives (DCEs), MPs, Heads of Department's and selected individuals.

She said it was sad that many educated people from the Region, had either abandoned it or were apathetic to its development. Mrs Dadzie said though the Region placed fourth in last year's BECE examinations results nationwide, the outlook was not bright. She appealed to teachers, Members of Parliament (MP) and the various District Assemblies, to create conducive environments for teachers as well as scholarships for needy but brilliant students in their communities.

"Through such interventions, we could as a Region, develop both the teacher and the pupil to produce acceptable results in any examinations" she stressed. Mrs Dadzie said if the various stakeholders failed to set an example, the blueprint was likely to suffer a setback. Mrs Gladys Asmah, MP for Takoradi, contributing, said there was the need for an attitudinal change and called for a prioritisation of the Regions development.

She said the Region could maximise its potentials if it's packaged for internal and external funding. Mrs Asmah stressed that the various diplomatic missions and other foreign non-governmental organisations were ready to fund the projects but needed to be convinced about the returns on their investments. Papa Owusu Ankomah, MP for Sekondi said over-centralisation could create problems for the nation and therefore suggested that the decentralisation process should be carried out fully. He said the Western Region must focus its attention on the development of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in its quest for development.

Papa Ankomah said it was sad that presently there was no database on the Western Region and it would be difficult to trace Westerners who had succeeded in various fields to come and assist. Nana Kobina Nketsia, V, who chaired the function, said artificial boundaries should not divide the region and districts. "We are one people and should find out how best to use the resources and potentials of each district to assist improve others" he added. Nana Nketsia urged Ghanaians to be bold and fearless in demanding for development and should also be ready to contribute to it. Mr. Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister said income levels of the people of Western region needed to be increased to transform the human resource requirements of the region.

He said when the incomes are improved; the social infrastructure and other related issues would be adequately addressed. Mr. Amoah said since many of the youths were presently unemployed and engaged in galamsey operations and would soon grow up to be unemployed adults. He charged all to use the regions comparative advantage to turn its fortunes around. 8 Sept 07