Mankessim (C/R), Sept. 15, GNA - Osagyefo Amanfo Edu IV, Paramount Chief of
Mankessim has appealed to the government to rehabilitate the irrigation system at Baifikrom
near Mankessim, to facilitate all-year-round production of vegetables. He said if the deteriorating facility, constructed in 1978 is rehabilitated, it could boost the
Youth in Agriculture Module of the National Youth Employment Programme. Osagyefo Amanfo Edu made the appeal in an address to climax the annual Akwanbo
Festival of the chiefs and people of Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central
Region. The Omanhen asked the Municipal Assembly to pay a commission on the revenue
collected from the Mankessim market to the traditional council to implement its development
agenda. He said the market, which is being managed by the Assembly through a Legislative
Instrument was built by the chiefs and people. He said the commission would help the traditional council to implement its development
agenda. Osagyefo Amanfo Edu also urged landowners at Mankessim to pay a token of the proceeds
from their sale of land to the traditional council to help the body to execute its programmes. He said modalities to collect proceeds from the sale of land are being worked out and
expressed the hope that the landowners would cooperate with the traditional council when it is
finalised.
Mr Henry Kweku Hayfron, Municipal Chief Executive said the ruling National Democratic
Congress has constructed 33 school buildings within two-and-a half years an= d appealed to
parents to take advantage of the projects by enrolling their children in school. He commended the traditional council for its decision to establish an education endowment
fund to support brilliant but needy children. Mr George Kuntu Blankson, Member of Parliament for Mfantseman East appealed to the
people to rally behind the government to implement more development project= s in the
Municipality. He urged the chiefs to unite, stressing; 93in unity lies strength". Mr Patrick Aniagyei, a Presidential Staffer urged the people to use th= e festival to take stock
of their achievements and to plan for the ensuing year. He advised the youth to refrain from seeing festivals as a period to engage in anti-social
activities such as sexual promiscuity and drinking. Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Member of Parliament and a Deputy Minister of Local
Government and Rural Development assured the chiefs and people that the Baifikrom
Irrigation Dam would be rehabilitated to enable the youth to go into farming. He said the government is considering the construction of vocational an= d technical schools
in every district to train the youth to acquire employable skills.
