By Emelia B. Addae, GNA
Okorase (E/R), Dec. 4, GNA – The Okorase State Council in the Akuapem North Municipality, has climaxed the Ofie Ba festival with a grand durbar under the theme: ” Mobilising our Communities for Sustainable Development: A Focus on Water and Sanitation. ”
The activities for the week-long celebration were a quiz competition for Junior High Schools at Okorase, a food competition, a football match, clean up exercise, and an artiste night.
Addressing participants, Nana Asare Kumi III, Chief of Okorase – Akuapem, said the Ofie Ba festival, meaning “Homecoming” is an annual celebration of unity, heritage, offering a moment to honour our ancestors, a renewal of strength and hope for the new year.
The Chief highlighted the theme and said illegal mining popularly called ” Galamsey” had become an issue of national and global interest, as it offered short-term economic opportunity but long-lasting environmental and health hazards.
He said arable lands had been converted into mining sites, reducing agricultural productivity and increasing poverty, especially in the communities where galamsey had taken root.
He expressed the need for a continued discussion among stakeholders on solutions to curb the menace.
In his speech, Nana Dr. Akwetey Gyamfi I, Nkabomhene of Okorase, appealed to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North Constituency, individuals, and benevolent organizations to provide a modern market for the community to improve trading conditions, and stimulate local economic activities.
Regarding sanitation measures, he said the Okorase State Council will liaise with the Municipal Assembly to improve the drainage system, waste management, and recycling initiatives.
He said, the town had few streets which limited transport, commerce, and access to essential services, so he appealed for the construction of such.
He also appealed for the provision of police station, fire station, and astroturf for youth development.
Mr. Sammi Awuku, MP for Akuapem North Constituency, assured the people of Okorase that the requests addressed, such as the market, police station, and astroturf, would be attended to before his tenure ends.
He pledged his sponsorship for 20 brilliant but needy students in schools at Okorase, to enable them to achieve their dreams.
He disclosed that, “500 youth are chosen from across the constituency to offer them training skills such as baking, soap making, cosmetics, and fish farming, after which a start-up – kits would be provided to establish themselves.”
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade