Cardinal Turkson calls for efforts to eradicate poverty in C/R

Assin Kushea, (C/R), May 24, GNA - Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast, on Sunday, urged eminent citizens in the Central Region, to take efforts of eliminating poverty in the region. He said despite its historical importance and its vast potentials, the region, was now among the poorest in the country, while its prominent citizens continued to contribute to the socio-economic development of other places.

Cardinal Turkson was speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour, by Nana Prah Agyensaim, a member of the Council of State, at Assin Kushea following his installation as Cardinal in November last year.

He called on members of Parliament (Mps) and religious and traditional leaders, in the region ensure that both its human and material resources are effectively mobilised to restore its former glory.

Cardinal Turkson pledged his support to any measures that would be evolved to accelerate the region's development.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze called for the establishment of a "council of elders" in the region to assess how best the region could be well developed.

He said it is imperative for all its citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations, unite and ensure that all the resources of the region were tapped to improve conditions of the people.

The Regional Minister commended Nana Agyensaim for honouring the Cardinal, and stressed the need, to extend same, to the UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan, a citizen of the region, just like how some of the regions had honoured their sons and daughters. Nana Agyensaim expressed gratitude to the Cardinal and other dignitaries for honouring the invitation, and said it was time for the region's "talented brains" to unite towards its progress.

The Omanhene of the Assin Apimanim Traditional Area, Barima Kwame Nkyi, XII, who presided, attributed region's plight to the apathetic attitude of some of its citizens, most of who, he said, were only interested in "bringing people down".

He called on such people to change their attitude in order to "propel the region forward".

Cardinal Turkson presented a 'Papal Blessing', in the form of a scroll embossed with the Pope's portrait, from the Pope, to Nana Agyensaim in appreciation of the honour done to him.

Present were some Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chief Executives, Traditional and Religious leaders, the academia and senior civil servants.