Techiman Roads to be upgraded

Techiman (BA), Aug. 24, GNA - A number of feeder roads measuring about 20.5 kilometres in the Techiman District, have been earmarked for spot improvement, rehabilitation or gravelling to facilitate the transportation of foodstuffs to the marketing centres.

Vice President Aliu Mahama announced this at a durbar of the Chiefs and people to climax this year's Fofie Yam Festival at Techiman. He said with the completion of the projects the situation of foodstuffs getting rotten on the farms as a result of inaccessible roads would be a thing of the past.

Techiman is considered the commercial and business nerve centre of Brong Ahafo, the nation's food basket.

Vice President Mahama explained the concept of the Farmers Market launched, on a pilot basis at Baatsona in the Ga District, last Saturday, saying it would provide an opportunity for farmers to sell directly at relatively lower prices.

He refuted allegations that the Farmers Markets, which would be organised monthly by District Assemblies, would replace the traditional markets and throw market queens out of business.

Alhaji Aliu cautioned the people to desist from negative practices, such as bush burning and indiscriminate felling of trees that would degrade the environment and affect food production.

The Vice President commended the people for initiating a re-afforestation programme in the Tano Basin.

He stressed the determination of the government to improve the standard of living of Ghanaians through the provision of basic infrastructure, particularly in the areas of education, health, water, sanitation and agriculture.

A total of 1.6 billion cedis had been allocated for the rehabilitation of the Asuogyaman Secondary School at Aworowa, adding that, work costing 28 million cedis had been awarded.

The Vice President said, a number of classroom blocks for basic schools in the District were being constructed or rehabilitated. He said Offuman and Tuobodom had been placed under the second phase of the Promotion of District Capital Project for improvement in markets, parking facilities and other infrastructure.

The Vice President assured the people of Techiman that the government would support the initiative to construct a storm drain and sewerage system to prevent flooding during the raining season.

He commending the self-help spirit of the people in building a Police Station and barracks and urged non-resident citizens to form development associations and network to do more.

The people have so far mobilised 160 million cedis for a 3.5 billion-cedi facility to house 100 police officers.

It is estimated that the township needs 200 police personnel, but has 46, who, in addition to the station, are housed in rented premises. Vice President Mahama, however, complained about the high rate of chieftaincy disputes, saying installing only legitimate royals would halt the situation, which undermined the institution.

"I have learnt with dismay that a dispute is brewing over the nomination and installation of a new chief for Oforikrom," he said. "I urge the Traditional Council and kingmakers to do everything possible to ensure that only the rightful person who is qualified to be the chief is enstooled in such a manner that would not disturb the peace and unity of the area".

The government, the Vice President said, would not interfere in chieftaincy disputes, but lend its support to the House of Chiefs to resolve them to ensure peace and unity.

Osabarima Dotobiri Takyia Ameyaw II, Omanhene of Takyiman Traditional Area, announced plans to preserve the history of the people through the construction of a cultural village complex.

The French Government has provided 18 million cedis of its 350 million cedis pledge for the project, which would include a museum, an artisans' village, arboretum and conference hall.

He appealed to the government to raise the Techiman District to a municipality.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, Prof. Kassim Kasanga, Minister of Environment and Science ND other Ministers, parliamentarians, district chief executives and public officers, attended the durbar.