Sefwi-Akontombra (W/R), Jan. 3, GNA - A number of highways and feeder roads in the Sefwi area of the Western Region are to be included in this year's financial estimates of the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
Of particular importance is the 85-kilometre Wiawso-Akontombra road, which is almost impassable, Mr T. Twumasi, Deputy Chief Director of the ministry, announced at Akontombra.
Speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of Nana Kwasi Kwarteng Ababio as the chief of Akontombra and Benkumhene of the Sefwi-Wiawso traditional area at the weekend, he expressed regret that roads in the area had been neglected by previous governments even though the area was the economic hub of the country, producing cocoa, timber, gold and food crops on a large scale.
Mr Twumasi said a number of culverts and bridges would be awarded on contract as part of measures to open up the area.
Captain Nkrabea Effah-Dartey (rtd), Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who was the special guest of honour, charged area and unit committees to collaborate their activities to speed up the development of the area.
He also asked the people to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) when it takes off to have easy access to health care and promised to donate four hospital beds to the Akontombra Community Clinic and library books to the Akontombra Senior Secondary School.
Capt Effah-Dartey appealed to chiefs in the area to avoid chieftaincy disputes and initiate development projects to attract government support.
Nana Kwarteng said through the support of the people, he had established an education endowment fund to support brilliant but needy students to pursue higher education.
He appealed to the Sefwi-Wiawso District Assembly to build more classrooms for the local Senior Secondary School and the basic schools in his area.
Nana Kwarteng asked the people to bury their differences and rally behind the government to facilitate the speedy development of the area.
