By Emmanuel Agbaxode/Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Avenorpedo (V/R), Aug. 30, GNA – The Chiefs and people of Avenorpedo in the Akatsi South Municipality have celebrated the 39th edition of the Agbeliza Festival at the EP School Park, under the theme: “From Vision to Impact, Strengthening Our Health System Through Consolidation.”
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Dufia of Avenorpedo, Torgbi Kugli Dzogbede V, Mr Raphael Kofi Ahiable, Assembly Member for the area, said the theme called on the community to intensify efforts to achieve its goals while supporting the local health centre with projects to improve the facility.
He said the fencing of the EP School Park, construction of an information centre and the ongoing medical laboratory project demonstrated the community’s commitment to the theme.
Mr Ahiable expressed gratitude to Mr Bernard Ahiafor, Member of Parliament for Akatsi South and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, for donating 200 bags of cement towards the construction of the medical laboratory ahead of last year’s celebration, when the project had only reached the foundation level.
He said the community had judiciously used the donation to complete the laboratory’s superstructure, comprising a waiting area, sample-taking room with two washrooms, technicians’ changing room, a spacious laboratory hall with a washroom and bin area, as well as an additional hall for other uses.
Mr Ahiable said 51 bags of cement remained after the laboratory project and were used to raise the height of the EP School fence wall, demonstrating prudent management of resources.
He thanked dignitaries who attended the previous year’s Agbeliza, including Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, and appealed to Mr Ahiafor to fulfil his commitment made at last year’s durbar to undertake the roofing and finishing of the laboratory.
He further appealed to Mr Ahiafor to brief Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for North Tongu, on the laboratory’s current status, to enable him to provide facilities to furnish the building, in line with a pledge he made at the 2024 Agbeliza durbar.
Mr Ahiable disclosed that the community’s target for this year was to raise at least GHS300,000 towards constructing a nurses’ bungalow at the Avenorpedo Health Centre, once the MP took up the finishing of the laboratory, and appealed to residents and stakeholders to contribute towards achieving the target.
He also commended Mr Ahiafor for recommending to the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly that the U-shaped classroom block at the EP School be considered for renovation to avert risks posed by its current condition to teachers and learners.
He used the occasion to present a request to the MP and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the construction of a one-unit, three-classroom Junior High School block with an office near Saint Thomas RC Primary School.
Mr Ahiable said the existing JHS block was too far from the primary section and was no longer befitting, while commending teachers for producing impressive Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results despite the challenges.
On community organisation, he called on the Agbeliza Central Planning Committee to hold regular evaluation meetings to review its activities and improve strategies for subsequent celebrations.
He also urged residents to adhere to the newly approved funeral planning document to ensure sanity and unity in the conduct of funerals.
Mr Ahiable paid tribute to Avenorpedo artisans whose sacrifices contributed to the construction of the EP School fence walls and medical laboratory, and thanked residents who participated in communal labour and paid development levies.
The Ghana News Agency gathered that this year’s Agbeliza Festival featured several activities, including a football gala, clean-up exercise, candlelight procession and artistes’ night, among others.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah /Audrey Dekalu