Ada, Aug. 06, GNA -- Government was seeking the requisite support from its development partners to solve the devastating effects of erosion on the coastline of the Dangme East District.
While admitting that the problem needed special intervention as well as quite a substantial budget, Sheikh Ibrahim Codjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who gave the assurance, regretted that it was a natural phenomenon that had affected a substantial portion of the Ada coastline.
Sheik Quaye was addressing the grand and colourful Asafotufiami Festival, durbar of the chiefs and people of the Ada Traditional Area over the weekend.
The festival was attended by citizens, friends and well-wishers, as well as people from the Diaspora.
The rich cultural heritage, celebrated annually by the Adas during the first week of August, is in remembrance of the achievements in the war for settlements, fought by their ancestors.
According to tradition, the celebration, which starts from Thursday with house cleaning, the pouring of libation at the respective shrines of the various families, and keeping of vigil, witnesses the arrival of the natives, well wishers and guests, from both far and near, to Ada.
Sheik Quaye cautioned the people that, while government did all in its power to address the coastline erosion problem of the Adas, they should reframe from winning sand along the coast, and to desist from excavating boulders that had been placed along the coast.
The Regional Minister stated the security agencies had been alerted and they would not spare anybody caught indulging in such nefarious acts. He commended the Ada Traditional Council for releasing a 50-acre land for the relocation of the Administration of the Dangme East District Assembly. He assured the people that work on a multi-purpose and modern building would start by October this year, and be next year's Asafotufiami festival, the district assembly would move into its new offices at Atortokope.
The Regional Minister used the occasion to reiterate the call on the youth to stay away from the social vices of drug abuse and other immoral acts which normally characterized festivals.
On chieftaincy disputes, Sheik Quaye regretted that they had served as a major setback in the nation's development drive, and urged traditional authorities to continue to use the approved traditional processes and channels to help find amicable solutions so "we can continue our march forward as a united people".
"The district certainly needs an atmosphere of peace and order under which plans and programmes of government, district assemblies and traditional authorities can be effectively executed".
The Regional Minister appealed to people in the area to support the 10-million dollar three-District-Pipe Water Scheme for the inhabitants of the North Tongu, Dangme East and West Districts currently under construction by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. He noted, with satisfaction that when completed, before 2008, the project would provide over 120,000 people in the three districts with potable water and save them from water-borne diseases like typhoid, bilharzias and guinea worm infestation.
On education, Sheik Quaye announced that in line with government's policy to enhance second cycle education throughout the country, Ada Secondary School had been selected to benefit from the second phase of the upgrading of the schools, and added that by the end of 2008, Ada Secondary School would be given a face-lift to bring it to the standard pertained in the well-endowed institutions.
Mr. Israel Naarh Baako, Dangme East District Chief Executive stated that the National Youth Employment Programme was being pursued in the district to absorb the teeming youth into the employment sector. Mr. Baako said the process of release of funds for the project to take off was far advanced and urged the youth to take advantage of the programme to learn employable skills.
He recounted the numerous achievements in the district in the areas of education, health and agriculture and commended the people for that. The DCE however, urged them to guard against division and negative tendencies such as petty political rivalries, land litigations, civil strafes and tribal sentiments, mismanagement and corruption because, in his view, they tendered to draw them away from achieving their development goals.
He appealed to investors to take advantage of the natural tourism potentials within the district and invest in it.
In a welcoming address, Nene Abrem Kabu Akuaku the III, Paramount Chief and President of the Ada Traditional Council urged the government to take the necessary steps to provide policemen in Ada with accommodation and offices.
Nene Akuaku appealed to the Border Settlement Committee working on the border disputes between Ada and the Ningo and South Tongu Traditional Areas to expedite work on the disputes for peace and tranquility to prevail amongst Adas and their neighbours.
Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations launched the Development fund in aid of Palace and Council Hall for the people of Ada and reiterated the call on them to live in peace and harmony.
