I will assist poultry farmers - Mahama

President John Mahama has hinted that the Government, through the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) would assist Poultry farmers financially to grow their businesses.

He added that government would also meet the Minister of Food and Agriculture to consider the building of a befitting Municipal Veterinary Office with required machines and equipment to enhance Veterinary Services within the Dormaa Traditional Area.

President Mahama gave the hint at a grand durbar to climax the Dormaa Kwafie Festival and the 15th joint anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, and Odeneho Akosua Frema Dwabeng II, as Paramount Chief and Queen respectively of the Dormaa Traditional Area, at Dormaa-Ahenkro.

The Kwafie biennial festival was last celebrated by the chiefs and people of Dormaa in 2002. It is an occasion that brings natives of the area together to review the past, resolve their differences, and strategize ahead to enhance their socio-economic development.

The event on the theme: “Anniversary of Peace, Development and Distinguished Leadership,” was attended by politicians, traditional leaders, the Media and indigenes of Dormaa, both home and abroad.

President Mahama commended the chiefs and people of Dormaa for their self-help spirit which had led to more developmental projects. He particularly praised the Municipal Chief Executive, Gordon Asubonteng, for his hard work towards the construction of a 40-bed ward at the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital and also the building of a 100-bed hostel facility at the Dormaa Midwifery Training School by the Municipal Assembly.

He assured that the Dormaa Traditional Area will be included in the 450-million-dollar package for the rehabilitation of roads in cocoa-growing areas in the country, adding that soon, the five-kilometre Dormaa-Ahenkro township roads would be upgraded, while Dormaa-Ahenkro-Nkrankwanta, Dormaa-Ahenkro-Kwame Asua and other Feeder Roads, would all be incorporated.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu on his part noted that the days of Traditional Authorities engaging in war of conquest for territorial expansion is over. It has instead given way for the initiation of developmental projects to augment the efforts of central government.

The paramount chief called on Ghanaians to holistically rally behind the government for effective implementation of its policies towards the realization of national development objectives.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu, however, expressed worry over high interest rates being charged by the Banks and other financial institutions in the country, and therefore appealed to President Mahama to intervene for relatively lower but reasonable interest rates for the benefit of farmers and small-scale business enterprises.

Nana Agyeman Badu mentioned improvement of sanitation, education and health facilities, as well as sports.

The colourful event was chaired by the Techimanhene, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, who stormed the durbar grounds with huge contingent of 200 men to cement the long lasting traditional friendship among the two traditional authorities.

Almost all Paramount Chiefs in the Brong-Ahafo Region were in attendance including the President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese.