By Emmanuel Gamson/ Gladys Abakah
Takoradi, Feb. 25, GNA – Some key stakeholders have converged at a day’s forum to dialogue and discuss strategies to propel the development of the Western Region.
The forum brought together traditional leaders, politicians, policymakers, development experts, entrepreneurs, academia, and the public to deliberate on challenges within the region and produce strategic interventions to bring change and progress to the people.
It was organised by the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), with funding support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
The event, held in Takoradi, was under the theme: “Redefining the Development Agenda: Collaborative Strategies for the Sustainable Growth of the Western Region.”
Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Area, speaking at the opening of the forum said the Western Region was endowed with vast mineral resources, yet lacked development as one of the main contributors to the nation’s GDP.
He, thus, called on the natives of the region to team up for the good and growth of the region and not look out for their personal interests.
Touching on the unemployment issue in the region, the Paramount Chief called on individuals to come together as partners and put resources and skills together and set up businesses that would provide decent job opportunities for the teeming youth.
That, Awulae Tu-Agyan II added, would go a long way to improve upon their living standards and translate into the development of their communities.
Mr Joseph Cudjoe, a Former Minister for Public Enterprises, urged the people to move away from the idea of overly relying on politicians for solutions to their development needs, and devise pragmatic measures to reap the full benefits of the region’s resource potentials.
He said: “I think one of our problems is that we over emphasise dependence on politicians. They will do what they must do but we should be interested in championing our own development agenda.”
Nana Yaa Amoako-Adu, Chief Executive Officer, Integrity Logistics and Consult, said entrepreneurs were the drivers of growth, and encouraged the youth to see societal problems as opportunities to bring together innovative ideas to setup businesses to solve them while creating jobs for others.
Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf commended the Western Region GJA for organising such a forum, saying; “It is truly inspiring to see the Ghana Journalists Association spearheaded this regional dialogue for the sustainable growth of our region.”
He said despite the region’s rich mineral wealth; it lacked the needed development to bring progress in the lives of the people.
“It is, therefore, timely and a step in the right direction that this programme has been organised because this aligns with my vision of revitalising and driving positive development for the betterment of our people,” he added.
Mr Desmond Cudjoe, the Western Regional GJA Chairman, said as an Association with keen interest in the development of the region, it was vital for them to bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss ways to ensure the Western Region became the development hub of the country.
He expressed confidence that ideas discussed would be put into action to help realise the progress and development the region desired.
GNA