Release land for infrastructure projects
Vice-President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has called on traditional authorities to complement the government’s efforts at developing the country by releasing land for the construction of infrastructural projects.
Advertisement
He said much as the government was doing its best to ensure that every corner of the country enjoyed its share of the national cake, it was incumbent on traditional heads, who are also agents of development, to support the development effort.
Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Kete-Krachi in the Krachi West District in the Volta Region last Saturday to mark their annual Yam Festival, Mr Amissah-Arthur urged them to use the festival as a rallying point to champion the developmental needs of the area.
He was accompanied by the Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso; the National Security Coordinator, Mr Yaw Donkor, who hails from the area, and district chief executives from the region.
The festival, which was marked on the theme: “Promotion of social integration through culture”, brought together sons and daughters of Kete-Krachi within and outside the region.
Mr Amissah-Arthur gave an assurance that the government would continue to provide infrastructure in the area to enhance the lives of the people, noting that the rehabilitation of the Kete-Krachi-Borae-Dambae road was a testimony of the government’s commitment to that cause.
He asked the people to continue to keep the peace in the area in the interest of accelerated development.
Significance of festival
The festival was interlaced with cultural display by masquerades and open pounding of yam as a symbol of a bumper yam harvest.
Other Trending Stories
The Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, in his welcoming address, said the festival was established to bring all Krachis and their neighbours who cultivated yam together to collectively give thanks to God for a bumper harvest.
He explained that the Yam Festival was not in any way meant to replace the age-long Nanaba Festival but rather to augment and enhance the cultural development of the area.
He thanked the government for the rehabilitation of the Kete-Krachi-Borae-Dambae road, adding: “We, however, wish to draw the government’s attention to the horrible condition of the main road from Gyanekrom to the lakeside. This main road was resurfaced in 2001 and ever since has not seen a second coat.”
He lauded the government for establishing a midwifery and nursing training school in the area, for which he had allocated a 200-acre land for the development of the school.
Appeal
The Krachiwura appealed to the government to secure the release of the pontoon which was rehabilitated and handed over to the Volta Lake Transport Company.
He said the people had a sentimental attachment to that pontoon because it was constructed specifically for them and, more importantly, “we cherish it as a legacy left for us by the late President John Evans Atta Mills”.