Pokrom celebrates Odwrira festival

Nsawam (E/R) Nov. 20 GNA- Mr. Magnus Opare- Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Road and Transport has expressed misgiving about pineapple exporters' inability to pay for the produce bought last year from farmers at Pokrom near Nsawam in the Akuapem South District.

He said the situation, coupled with recent post harvest losses of the produce in the area have worsened the financial positions of the farmers.

Mr. Opare-Asamoah, also MP for the area said this in a speech read on his behalf at the Odwira festival celebrated by the chiefs and people held at Pokrom on Friday. The occasion also coincided with the 35 years celebration of the installation of Nana Toah Djan II, chief of Pokrom-Nsaba traditional area.

The Minister however, assured the pineapple farmers in the area of his effort in collaboration with the management of Astek Fruit Processing Limited, a defunct fruit processing company in the area to have it reactivated to enable the growers to have market for their produce.

Mr. Opare-Asamoah, expressed concern about with the delay to commission and operate the clinic in the area and said, he would do all he could to have the facility working to serve the people. Nana Toah Djan, in his address commended the government for the numerous projects provided to the people of the area.

He said with the introduction of the capitation grants, the pupils intake of the local primary school in the area has increased, compelling the school authority to run a shift system.

Nana Djan therefore, appealed to the government and Ghana Education Service to take steps to address the problem.