The Central Regional Minister Mr Isaac Edumadze has appealed to chiefs and land owners to review the land tenure system to attract investment into the region.
He said that although the region has abundant natural resources, it has still remained largely undeveloped due to the uncompromising land tenure system, coupled with the numerous land and chieftaincy disputes that make it impossible for people to readily acquire land.
Mr Edumadze made the appeal at a meeting with the chiefs of Denkyira Traditional Area during a familiarisation tour of the region.
The tour would take him to all the 12 districts, where he would be meeting with traditional rulers and heads of departments to explain government programmes and policies.
He further appealed to the chiefs to endeavour to seek amicable settlements to chieftaincy and other disputes instead of taking them to the courts of law.
The Minister said the economic situation of the country has compelled the government to join the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and urged Ghanaians to discard the notion that the move will sell the country into slavery.
The Minister reiterated government's objective to put in place measures to revamp the agricultural sector.
He hinted that all second cycle schools in the region would from the next academic year establish farms to supplement their feeding and asked land owners to make land available for the project. Mr Edumadze called on chiefs and district assemblies to establish education endowment funds to cater for needy students.
Nana Ntobonkyi, II, Acting President of the Denkyira Traditional Area, congratulated President John Agyekum Kufuor for winning the elections and pledged their support.
He said he was happy about the government's plans for the agriculture sector, particularly its intention to give assistance to farmers to enable them to improve rice production.
Nana Ntobonkyi appealed to the government to review the contract of the Continental Goldfields to enhance its smooth operation in the district and called for the establishment of a teacher training college in the area.
The Minister held a meeting with heads of government departments to and urged them to discard partisan politics in the performance of their duties and to concentrate on issues that enhance development.
He cautioned them against lateness, absenteeism, drunkenness and other negative tendencies. The Minister also visited the Ashanti Goldfields Company and Dunkwa Continental Goldfields at Dunkwa and Ayanfuri, respectively.
