Mahama directs CEDECOM to draw development plan

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM) to formulate a development strategy that would provide government the roadmap for developing the area.

He said:"It is absolutely unacceptable for the Central Region, which has the best educational institutions, tourist attractions, and other economic ventures, to be among the poorest regions in the country."

President Mahama said this when he addressed a durbar of chiefs and people of the Oguaa Traditional Area during the 50th anniversary of the Fetu Afahye at the Jubilee Park in Cape Coast, on Saturday.

The theme for the festival is: "Celebrating Oguaaman, Past Achievements and the Way Forward."

The programme was also attended by Ministers of State, Ghanaians and Africans in the Diaspora, and other dignitaries. The celebrants were entertained by various dance groups from the traditional area.

President Mahama said the strategic plan would give the government an insight into how to tackle the challenges and how to find lasting solutions that would make the people comfortable.

In the meantime, President Mahama said, the Government had cut the sod for commencement of work on the Komenda Sugar factory while efforts were underway to complete the Kotokuraba Market to enhance trading activities and its related benefits.

The President Mahama gave the assurance that the Government would also exploit all the tourist sites in the Region to step up the visits of more people, especially to the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles in the coming years.

He said three landing sites would be constructed in the Region to encourage the growth of the fishing industry, which is the mainstay of the people.

On Health, President Mahama said three new Polyclinics would be constructed in the Region, in addition to the numerous Community Based Health Planning (CHPS) compounds in most of the districts of the region.

President Mahama also advised the people to adopt safety measures that would put them away from the Ebola Viral Disease, warning that, it had no cure and was, therefore, deadly.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta, Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, denounced the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the region and called for measures to reduce the menace.

He urged parents to take special interest in the education of their children because they were the holders of the future.

President Mahama visited the new Cape Coast project, the Kotokuraba Market project, and the scene of Assin Fosu accident, which destroyed a number shops and stores on Friday.