Extend PSI on cassava to Akrofu-Xeviwofe - Chiefs

Akrofu-Xeviwofe (V/R), Nov 8, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Akrofu-Xeviwofe in the Ho District have offered to make available about 500 hectares of land for cassava production under the President's Special Initiative (PSI) to boost the socio-economic development of the area.

Mr George Alorsor, a citizen of the area, on behalf of the community requested for the extension of the PSI to the area during fund raising durbar, in aid of a primary school complex at Xeviwofe on Saturday.

He gave the assurance that there would be no hindrance to the implementation of the project in the area already known for its large-scale cultivation of cassava for gari production.

"We are therefore appealing to government to provide us with the necessary inputs such as modern agricultural implements, improved planting materials and extension services to assist us to increase our production for both local and foreign markets," he said.

Mr Alorso, who is the Services Manager at the Ghana Shippers Council, also urged the government to help irrigate the land for all-year-round vegetable cultivation to encourage potential investors to establish a vegetable processing factory in the area.

He commended government for providing the community with amenities like pipe-borne water, roads, electricity and a clinic, which they hope would be upgraded to a modern health centre.

Mr Ralph Hadzi, Assemblyman, entreated the people to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to guarantee a better healthcare for themselves and their dependants.

He advised the people to guard against bushfires especially during the dry season and commended them for their communal spirit. Mr Victor K. Mensah, Ho District Director of Education, in an address read on his behalf urged parents and guardians to invest in their children's education.

He noted that education provides healthy family lifestyles, improves social, economic and health situations and fostered the participation of both sexes in community development programmes. Mr Mensah appealed to the people to establish an educational fund for brilliant but needy children to enable them develop their talents. A total of 70 million cedis was realised at the durbar.