I have been ignored in the Bui dam project activities-Banda Chief

Banda Ahenkro (B/A) Aug. 9, GNA - Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito 1, Omanhene of Banda, said he has been ignored "in the decision-making process as far as the Bui dam Project is concerned."

He said feasibility studies carried out before the commencement of work on the construction of the Dam project identified the paramount chief as the sole owner of the land "and he should not be excluded or sidelined in any negotiation regarding any activity on the land".

The Omanhene was hosting Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, who had begun a tour of the area which also took him to Jaman North and Jaman South districts to ascertain development projects undertaken since the NDC government assumed power last year.

He called on the police administration to beef up police presence in the area in view of the increasing human population due to the on-going Bui Dam project.

"In the face of the on-going Bui Dam Project where we experience daily increase of human population, we wish the security situation is beefed up to be able to handle any eventuality.

The Omanhene said since the re-opening of the police post, "we have not been able to get adequate number of security personnel to man it".

He cited an incident in which a group of young men overpowered the only policeman on duty at the post recently and released a colleague who had been placed in custody for further investigations into a case.

According to the Omanhene, the people through voluntary contributions and communal labour rehabilitated the old police post in the area.

The Omanhene appealed to the government to consider providing shelter at the only principal local weekly market that served all the communities in the area, as well workers at the dam project.

He further appealed that the only Senior High School(SHS) in the area, Bandaman SHS, which had classrooms, bungalows, hostel facilities, library and water supply, be absorbed into the government mainstream(public).

Okokyeredom Sito stressed that with the people sacrificing much of their farming land for the Bui dam project, the request should be given greater attention to increase human resource development in the area.

The Omanhene called on the Tain District Assembly to help provide decent and permanent places of convenience in the area in view of the influx of people into the area to arrest indiscriminate defecating, which he said posed a serious sanitation challenge; an imminent outbreak of an epidemic.

Mr. Nyamekye Marfo acknowledged the concerns of the chiefs and people and gave assurance that they would receive the deserved attention to ensure the well-being of the people.

"The government is doing its best to ensure the well-being of all Ghanaians", he said and assured the chiefs and people the area that they would not be left out in the sharing of the national cake.

The Regional Minister urged the chiefs and people to release land for the re-afforestation programme to offer employment to the youth and called on them to support the government to succeed.