Western Region is miserably rich - Prof Dordunoo

Professor Cletus Dordunoo Lead Consultant on the Western Region Human Development project on Thursday described the Region as a “miserably poor”. He said despite the numerous natural resources, the Region and for that matter stakeholders had failed to harness all them to the benefits of its people.

Prof Dordunoo at the launch of the Region’s Human development Report 2013 said perhaps too many of the natural resources had “intoxicated” the people and policy makers that it had failed to reflect in the livelihood of the inhabitants.

He spoke about bad nature of roads, lack of infrastructure, inadequate health facilities and schools among other challenges and called for structural relations changes between central and regional authorities. Prof Dordunoo said there is the need for the Region to press for constructive changes in policies, exchange and interest rate to guard the oil revenue.

The Western Region Human Development Report 2013 would look at managing development opportunities in the Region in particular for a secured future. The Report covers areas such as: poverty and sustainable livelihood, capacity and governance in the Region, human development indicators and the micro consequences of macro-economic management.

Hege Hertzberg, Norwegian Ambassador indicated how the 10 commandments put up more than 30 years ago by her country ago are still yielding results. She said the fundamental of the commandment said the oil belongs to the people and therefore its revenue must be spread evenly in the area of education and infrastructure among other goals.

The Ambassador said Ghana must make some financial investments abroad, avoid overspending and the Dutch disease. Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative said high population growth of the Region must commensurate with its infrastructure, education and employment.

Mr Ebenezer Addo, Regional Minister said the Human Development Report would serve as a key ingredient to enhance the development of the area.