C/R benefits from 285 EU projects

Ankaase (C/R) Jan. 10 GNA - The Central Region, has so far, benefited from a total of 285 projects costing 15.5 billion cedis, since the inception of the European Union (EU) projects in the region in 1997. Te region would also benefit from 99 new projects valued at 7 billion cedis under the Phase three of the 'fifth EU micro-projects', which would begin this month.

The projects include the construction of clinics, markets, blocks of classroom blocks, and the provision of water and sanitation facilities.

Mr Isaac Edumadze, Regional Minister, made these known when he inaugurated a 180 million cedis bock of classrooms, with a store and office attached, for the people of Ankaase in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem district, on Friday.

The ceremony marked the symbolic inauguration of all the 114 micro-projects completed in the region during the Phase two of the fifth micro projects programme in 2002 at the cost of 7 billion cedis. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the EU for providing infrastructure to facilitate development in the country.

He also commended the EU for supporting government in its poverty reduction strategy programmes and said when the new projects were completed they would help improve the living standard the people.

Mr Edumadze, however, expressed concern about the "poor finishing" of some of the EU projects, and urged District Chief Executives to ensure the maintenance of the facilities to prolong their lifespan. He also asked the communities to ensure that the facilities were used for their intended purpose.

Mr Stefan Frowein, EU Ambassador, in a speech read for him said between 1990 and 1999, the EU earmarked a total of 1,850 projects valued at 23.1 million Euros.

He said under the 'fifth micro projects programme, which was started in 2000, an amount of 27 million Euros was spent on 1,275 projects targeted and number of 2,000 have been completed with the remaining slated for completion by next year.

Mr Frowein said, the total number of projects funded by the EU in the country stood at about 3,100 million Euros and the amount would reach about 3,800 million Euros by the end of 2005.

He said the EU had also agreed to release 1.5 million Euros for five projects, including the rehabilitation of the upper terrace and bridges at the St. George castle, under the Elmina cultural heritage and management programme in the region.

Dr Kwaku Osafo, EU national programme manager, urged the beneficiary communities to reciprocate the gesture of the EU by investing in the education of their children instead of spending their monies on social activities like funerals.