By Kekeli K. Blamey
Adidome (V/R), Nov. 20, GNA – Togbe Asafo Buatri V, Acting President of the Mafi Traditional Council, has emphasized the importance of leveraging digitalization and agriculture to drive development in the area.
To achieve this, the council is collaborating with the Vanuatu Trade Commission of Ghana to train some 300 citizens in artificial intelligence, aligning with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s digitalization agenda.
The Council is also promoting agricultural development by inviting business executives to invest in Mafi’s arable land for crop and tuber farming, particularly in cassava, okro, pepper, and soya beans.
This initiative is expected to create employment opportunities for the youth and reduce their migration to galamsey areas.
Togbe Buatri, however, praised the government’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) initiative, which has been beneficial to the education growth of Mafi State.
He appealed to the government, through the Central Tongu District Chief Executive, Mr. Thomas Moore Zonyrah, to provide a bus and a 12-unit teachers’ quarters for the new TVET facility at Mafi Kumase.
Togbe Buatri also advocated for upgrading of the Adidome Farm Institute to a Veterinary College to address the shortage of veterinary technicians in the southern sector.
These moves, according to him, would enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods in the region.
Mr Zonyrah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Mafi State.
He emphasized that the government would provide all necessary resources to boost education and agriculture in Mafi, while continuing to promote all other national development objectives.
He highlighted some of the government’s notable achievements in Central Tongu, which included the free Senior High School policy, DRIP initiative, and the newly constructed court house, assuring that the government would continue to invest in Mafi’s growth.
“In the area of agriculture, the government has initiated the “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme, which aims to transform agriculture in Central Tongu District. This programme provides subsidized fertilizers and farm inputs to our farmers, enhancing their agricultural productivity. Additionally, private investors have expressed interest in partnering with local farmers, particularly in rice, cassava, and chili pepper farming,” he recalled.
GNA