Create more opportunities for rural folks - Okyenhene to government

Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has said the country should make a conscious effort to create equal opportunities for all Ghanaians especially those in rural communities.

According to Okyenhene, most brilliant children in rural areas do not have the opportunities available to the many urban children to explore and unearth hidden talents.

Speaking at a traditional durbar held at Wenchi as part of activities marking his 25th-anniversary celebration, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin hinted that equal opportunities in education will help many rural children to discover their talents and be competitive.

He noted that particular attention must be given to women's empowerment since they have proven to be prudent with every little investment.

As part of his commitment to education, the Okyenhene has constructed 10 model schools within the Akyem Abuakwa State.

The Amoatia Ofori Panin Model School consists of 9 classrooms, a computer laboratory, ICT centers, a headmaster's office and a staff common room.

Okyenhene commissioned the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model School at Akyem Wenchi prior to the traditional durbar.

He said the Amoatia Ofori Panin Model Schools will pay particular attention to Mathematics, Science, and Information Technology.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin hinted that science and technology have become an essential component of mankind's life, hence it has become imperative to include these skills in the children from the basic school level.

So far, the Achiase, Wenchi, Kyebi, and Osino schools have been commissioned. The rest will be commissioned in the coming weeks.

However, Okyenhene maintained that mining is not entirely a bad activity but the irresponsible ways of mining leading to destruction of water bodies, bio-diversity, and the eco-system should not be encouraged.

"Those of us who lived here witnessed how mining was done decades ago. Those who started mining here mined responsibly. They didn’t destroy our water bodies and environment. They didn’t put mercury and other chemicals in the water. They even left behind huge deposits of natural resources. So why are we destroying the environment now?’ Osagyefuo quizzed.

According to Osagyefuo, all the mining communities in Ghana including Akwatia, Obuasi, and Tarkwa have nothing to show as the benefit of mining within the communities, compared to Johannesburg in South Africa.

"When I returned to Akwatia after years of living in the state, I was sad. The Akwatia we grew up in has not improved years after we left. The devastation is troubling and I don’t like it," Okyenhene bemoaned.

Delivering the State of Oseawuo report to Okyenhene, Oseawuohene Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah announced that the Oseawuo division has stopped all forms of illegal lumbering within the Kwaebibirim enclave.

He said the elders had engaged the youth of Oseawuo who were mining in and on the Birim River to stop the practice.

According to Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah, the Birim River has been ridden off all illegal mining activities and the turbidity level of the river has been restored to normalcy.

He said the elders of the division are still educating the youth about government policy on sustainable community mining schemes that will benefit the masses.