The Ofinsoman Union in Washington DC Metropolitan area met with Mr. Victor Amponsah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in Woodbridge, Virginia/USA on October 4, 2010 to discuss issues facing the town and developmental plans that the government has in place for the people of Offinso. The MCE briefed the Union members on the developmental initiatives that the government has outlined for the people of Offinso. He hinted them of the process, and also how the Union could participate to make the people of Offinso’s lives better.
Among the issues discussed, was the current epidemic which has left over 70 percent of the population in Asuboi, a suburb of Offinso infected with Onchocerciasis - following the invasion of black flies in the area. The disease has brought upon people of the town all kinds of skin disorders including rashes and lesions, which causes intense itching on their bodies with the ultimate risk of river blindness. Mr. Amponsah praised the ruling government’s effort in combating this epidemic. He assured members of the Union not to panic because his government is in control of this epidemic, working around the clock to make a cure available to the citizens of Asuboi by the end of November 2010. He asked the members of the Union to take active part in this problem solving. He appealed to the Union members to extend any assistance of any kind that they could think of to deal with this situation.
Mr. Amponsah briefed the members of the Union on the water problem in the town and pleaded for any assistance that they could offer to deal with it. He challenged the members to help establish boreholes for villages in the town. He also advised them not to forget their roots but to do something for their people back home. Mr. Amponsah pleaded with the Offinso people in Virginia to identify projects which they can initiate in Offinso. He encouraged them to be engaged in income generating businesses and activities that would economically empower the people of Offinso. He urged them to take initiatives and calculated risks to get involved in business initiatives in Offinso. Mr. Amponsah enumerated some of the problems being encountered in the town such as water, sanitation, health, education, information technology, communication, lack of suitable libraries and other educational resources including teaching aids and infrastructures. Mr. Stephen Mensah, the Secretary of the Union presented a plaque of honor to the MCE for taking his time to meet with the Union to discuss such important issues facing the town. On behalf of the Union, he extended a sincere thank you and heartfelt appreciation to him for his good work since he assumed the position of MCE. He also extended an invitation to the MCE to be a part of, and present at the Offinosoman Natives in the Diaspora Convention scheduled for summer 2011. The convention is set to bring together the natives of Offinso in the Diaspora to raise funds to support developmental projects in Offinso. The Offinso people in USA in their response said they were happy to have a fruitful discussion with their MCE. The President of the Union, Mr. Isaac Owusu Ansah said they were very much encouraged by the MCE’s visit and that they were going to be very supportive of any meaningful development projects. He asked the MCE to make avenues accessible to the Union to be part of the developmental decisions and projects in the town.
Source: Anim Addo Sampong Email: Nafeel12000@yahoo.com
