Mankoadze Chiefs ready to support investors

Mankoadze, May 2, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Mankoadze, in the Gomoa District have assured investors of their preparedness to assist them to establish businesses in the area.

They said they were aware of the role of non-governmental organisation and investors in the development of communities but pointed out that the need for businesses in the area would, however, not make them to sell their sovereignty for bread and butter.

Nana Fano Ababio, Adontehene made the call when he addressed a news conference at Mankoadze to throw light on the impasse between Mr Roger Tillman, a British philanthropist and the chiefs and elders of the town over where to establish a library complex.

The conference was attended by leaders of the Asafo companies, heads of the clans of Mankoadze and some elders.

Nana Ababio said they would not entertain any investor or a philanthropist who would want to impose his will on the people. He explained that Mr Tillman informed him about a problem he was facing in getting the site he had selected for the project released to him.

According to the elders the site was not suitable since it was too close to the lorry park and the land had been earmarked for the expansion of the Methodist Church building.

The Chiefs said the Mr Tillman was asked to go round and select a more suitable site, which would be released to him free of charge for the project.

Nana Ababio said to his surprise the man refused and insisted that the project should at all cost, be sited on the land belonging to the Methodist Church.

"We became suspicious about why he wanted only that piece of land" the Adontehene said and expressed concern about how Mr Tillman and those behind him could dragged the Gomoa District Chief Executive, Miss Joyce Aidoo into the impasse.

He stressed that there was no point in time that the DCE was involved in the matter and said "She should be allowed to enjoy her peace".

When the District Public Works Department Engineer, Mr Ebo Incoom and the District Town and Country Planning Officer, Mr Samuel Annobil were contacted they said the DCE had no hand in the decision to stop the project.

"Miss Aidoo did not instruct us to stop the project we did that because there was no documents such as indenture and building permits covering it and the site was not suitable for the project" Mr Incoom said.

"We are professional men well versed in our jobs, we do not need a DCE to tell us what we should do. No one should blame the DCE for the stoppage of the project. We take responsibility for our actions" Mr Annobil added.

Nana Obambir Egyir IV, Chief of Gomoa Bewuadze asked the people not to be daunted by the impasse and said the project would be executed even without the support of Mr Tillman.