Central Region 2024: Chequered sheet of successes, growth, peace and pain
Last year, 2024, was a chequered sheet of memorable events, growth, peace and pain for the Central Region.
The year was filled with some landmark events and successes and some rather tragic happenings.
First NSMQ
On the educational front, Cape Coast, for the first time, hosted the National Science and Mathematics Quiz (NSMQ).
Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast made a reality of the slogan "host and win" when it pipped St Augustine’s College by one point to win the coveted National NSMQ title.
Mfantsipim School took home a trophy, over 70,000 cash, other goodies and bragging rights, putting smiles on the faces of all in the region.
St Augustine’s College, also in Cape Coast, took the second place with 46 points and went away with 50,000 cash and other goodies with Keta Senior High placing third.
Justina Marigold Assan (arrowed), former Regional Minister, unveiling the Central Agra rice
The staff of the GN Group made a refreshing gesture by building a school facility for the Abeyee community in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem municipality to provide a more conducive teaching and learning environment for preschool pupils in the community.
It was rather disturbing as seven persons reportedly died of cholera in the Central Region.
The Central Region recorded about 1000 cases of suspected cholera cases since the first case was confirmed on October 31, 2024.
Health officials, however, worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control.
The Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) held a five-day non-denominational crusade and medical outreach at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast.
It was organised in collaboration with the local council of churches in Cape Coast to preach Christ Jesus and support the vulnerable.
About 200 people suffering from conditions such as goitre, hernia and fibroid were treated at no cost.
Alongside the surgeries, about 7,000 persons in and around Cape Coast received a wide range of relief items including clothing, mattresses, toiletries, food and wheelchairs.
Operation Smile Ghana (OSG) also undertook free surgeries for 53 persons to correct cleft lip and palate deformities at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
The beneficiaries were aged between six months and 32 years.
In all, 77 patients were screened after which the 53 successfully underwent surgery.
Fetu Afahye @60
One remarkable celebration that took place in the region was the Fetu Afahye.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Oguaamanhen, arriving at the Fetu Afahye durbar grounds
Fetu Afahye 2024 was a classic display of culture.
It was the first time the Asantehene joined the people of Cape Coast in his royal capacity. Almost all of Ghana trooped to Cape Coast.
The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, was joined by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to ride in palanquins as part of the Fetu Afahye procession.
It was a great celebration of culture.
Investment fair
In September, the region held the 2024 Central Regional Trade and Investment Fair dubbed the "Central Expo" at the Adisadel School park in Cape Coast as part of efforts to make the region one of the wealthiest in the country.
The then Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan, in a speech read on her behalf, said: "We are poised to afford business linkages, exposures, technology transfer, employment and revenue generation through the sales and marketing of goods and services in the region to boost the local economy.
It was on the theme "Connecting minds and creating business opportunities in the Central Region.
About 200 exhibitors participated in the exhibition with goods ranging from food and beverages, apparel and agricultural inputs, jewellery, agrochemicals, handicraft, herbal remedies and service providers including insurance providers and educational institutions.
In July 2024, after years of effort, the Central Region launched its own rice brand, the Central Agra rice at Assin Akropong.
The launch of the highly nutritious rice, locally grown, milled and packaged by cooperative rice farmers in the region, marked a milestone towards food security in the region and the country as a whole.
On infrastructure
Work on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the 30-kilometre Kasoa-Winneba into a dual carriage road began and continued steadily.
The two contract projects, estimated to cost nearly $180 million and being funded by the Government of Ghana, are expected to be completed in three years
However, tragedy hit when three persons died and several others were critically injured after a rock blast as part of a construction project on the Budumburam stretch of the Accra Winneba highway in October.
Politics
In the political arena, the region elected 18 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament (MPs), four New Patriotic Party MPs and one independent candidate into the ninth parliament.
Road accidents
In late August, sadly, five persons were confirmed dead and one injured in a motor accident involving a Sprinter bus, a Man Diesel Articulated Truck and a Howo Tipper truck with registration numbers: GR6081-18, GW5416-24 and GB1592-22 respectively at the Ataabadze junction near Elmina in the Central Region.
Another tragic accident at the Aggrey Memorial Zion Senior High School Junction on the Cape Coast-Accra Highway less than a week to the new year unfortunately claimed three lives and left several others injured
NPP loses regional chairman
The Central Regional NPP lost its Chairman, Robert Kutin Jr, late in the year after a long battle with illness.
Residents of the region, during the Christmas and New year church services, thanked God for 2024 and prayed for a greater and better 2025.