JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY AND GHANA SHIPPERS AUTHORITY INAUGURATE ELUBO ARTICULATOR TERMINAL
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly in collaboration with Ghana Shippers Authority commissioned the Elubo Freight Park popularly known as Elubo Articulator Terminal The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde expressed her profound gratitude to the Board and CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority for the wonderful show of support and commitment to the construction of the Terminal. She again extended her appreciation to all and sundry who have contributed to the successful completion of the project. Hon. Municipal Chief Executive said the objectives of the construction of the terminal is to reduce the human and vehicular traffic congestion at Elubo, help promote local economic development at the border enclave and to reduce the inconveniences that transport drivers and operators go through while in transit on the border. The Hon. Chief Executive pledged to ensure that there would be high-quality maintenance culture in the management of the facility and that good sanitation and hygiene practices would become the top priority in the day-to-day running of the facility. The Chairperson of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Madam Stella Wilson reminded the gathering of the Authority’s mandate in ensuring effective and efficient protection and promotion of the interest of shippers in Ghana’s commercial shipping sector and for Ghana’s international trade value chain. She added that there would be high expectations that more trade volumes would be moved across the borders of the continent with the introduction of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA), hence, the timeliness of this all-important Freight and Logistics Park at Elubo. Nana Affikah Anwomiah Kpanyinli who represented the Chief of Elubo thanked the Jomoro Municipal Assembly and Ghana Shippers Authority for the collaboration and asked for unity that would help to expand the project in the coming years. He also urged the managers of the facility to ensure proper usage of the facility to achieve the intended purpose of its construction. The Assistant Commissioner and Sector Commander of Elubo Collection, Rev. Joseph Gyan Mensah who spoke on behalf of the security agencies assured the Assembly of their readiness to provide adequate security to the facility and other services that would aid in the effective and efficient operation of the terminal.
Jomoro MCE tours communities to acquaint himself with problems
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, Mr. Ernest Kofie has begun a familiarisation tour of towns and villages within the area to explain current government programs and Assembly policies to the Chiefs and people that are geared towards accelerated development of the area. The tour also meant to identify problems confronting the people and initiate strategies for solving them. This is the first familiarisation tour the MCE has embarked upon, since he was appointed by President Akufo-Addo last year and subsequently elected by the Assembly to steer the affairs of the Assembly. It is to bring local governance to the doorstep of the people and to listen to the problems of the individual towns in the Municipality. The problems facing these communities include poor roads network, toilet facilities, electricity and bad state of some school buildings. Some of the communities visited so far include; New Nzulezo, Azuleti, Mpataba, Nuba, Ndumsuazo, Nawule and New Kabenlesuazo. Addressing chiefs and people of Azuleti in a mini durbar, the MCE expressed a great deal of gratitude on behalf of the President, Akufo-Addo and entire NPP to the community for their immense support during the 2016 general elections which brought the party into power. He, however, urged the chiefs and people of the area to come together to help the government in all spheres of endeavours for developmental goals as the government cannot do it alone. He used the occasion to appeal to the chiefs and people to nurture peace and at all circumstances create peaceful atmosphere. Moreover, Mr. Kofie admonished the people to be law-abiding and fulfill all their tax commitments to the Municipal Assembly and government as a whole. He said that his door is always opened for their views, opinions and suggestions that will help the Municipality to develop rapidly. He advised the to refrain from deviant behaviours that will affect their future. He urged the farmers to embrace the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs flagship program to better their livelihoods. He said the government exists for the general well-being of every Ghanaian so the people must bury their political differences and embark on serious farming, not only to promote food security in the country but also to enhance their standard of living. The MCE promised the community with 30 bags of cement and said the cement would be donated within the week. The Queen Mother of the area, Nana Awuah Badwo III thanked the MCE for visiting them to know their concerns. She used the occasion to appeal to the MCE to establish JHS for the community to ease their burden of sending their wards to different towns to further their education. At Mpataba community, the Chief, Nana Ndefo III appealed to the MCE to renovate their existing JHS block. He said the block is on the verge of collapse and if possible the Assembly can build a new one for the community. The Headmaster of Mpataba M/A JHS, Mr. Pious Blay used the opportunity to appeal to the MCE to provide them with computers to enhance effective teaching and learning. The MCE promised to work assiduously and provide them computers as soon as possible. He, therefore, advised the students to take their studies seriously and respect their parents. He also urged the parents invest more in their children’s education and avoid buying expensive clothing. Fertiliser Establishment At Nuba community, the MCE revealed that the government has signed a partnership agreement with the Moroccan government to establish a fertilizer plant in the Jomoro Municipality. The MCE expressed worries over the land litigation which is likely to stop the project or being transferred to a new District. He appealed to the chief of the area to speak to their colleague chiefs who are fighting with the ownership of the land to ceasefire and allow the project to be done. He added that no government would invest its resources into a project which is characterized by a litigation. He said the youth in the Municipality are unemployed and said if the project comes off, it would be creating over 3,000 job opportunities indirectly and directly. The MCE pledged his total commitment to give GHC12,000 to the Nuba community to purchase a brand new water pump to repair their long damaged water project. He asked the community to rally behind President Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS flagship program and educate their children to pass well at the JHS level and enjoy the program. He also used the opportunity to advise the youth not to involve themselves in gambling activities. Nana Simanli Kpanyinli III, chief of Nuba in a welcoming address thanked the MCE for the kind gesture and pledged to supervise over the repairing of the water project. He, however, complained about the deplorable state of the four kilometre feeder road linking the community to Sowodadzem, and appealed to the Assembly to help in its rehabilitation to facilitate the movement of people and farm produce to the market centres. He assured the MCE that he would personally speak to his colleague chiefs fighting over the proposed land for the establishment of the fertiliser plant. He said he is ready to release land for oil companies which are looking for land to establish any facility in the Municipality. Some of the Chiefs in the communities presented foodstuffs and sheep to the MCE and his entourage. The MCE was accompanied by staff of the Assembly, NPP Jomoro Constituency Executive Members, the media among others. Source: Daniel Kaku
Paramount Chief calls for government support as Jomoro Municipal Assembly is inaugurated
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, has appealed to central government to introduce deliberate policies, programmes and industrialisation measures to accelerate development in the Jomoro Municipality following its elevation to municipal status. Jomoro was among seven districts in the Western part of Ghana that were recently upgraded to Municipal Assemblies. The appeal was made during the inaugural ceremony of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly, which attracted a distinguished gathering of traditional authorities, government officials and stakeholders. The ceremony was graced by Awulae Annor Adjaye III and his sub chiefs, the Western Regional Deputy Minister, Mrs. Eugenia Kusi, the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency, Mr. Paul Essien, who also serves as Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ernest Kofie, the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Kankam Boadu, former District Chief Executives, Heads of Department, Assembly Members and other dignitaries. In his address, Awulae Annor Adjaye III called on the Western Regional Deputy Minister to convey the priorities of the people of Jomoro to the President. He highlighted the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and enhanced security to ensure the economic and financial wellbeing of the municipality and its residents. He stressed that the elevation of Jomoro to a municipal status should go beyond recognition and be matched with tangible development, particularly the construction of quality roads to boost economic activities. According to the Paramount Chief, good road networks would not only strengthen commerce and reduce the pressures on political leadership but also create employment opportunities for the youth. He noted that infrastructure development aligns with the national agenda of job creation championed by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. He further emphasised that peace and security are critical to nation building and called for the provision of quality school infrastructure, stressing that the future of the municipality depends on the proper development of its children. Awulae Annor Adjaye III also urged the Municipal Police Commander to empower officers to arrest and prosecute individuals who threaten peace and security within the municipality. He recalled that the request for improved road infrastructure had earlier been presented to President Nana Addo during his thank you tour to the area on August 8, 2017, and assured government of the readiness of traditional authorities to release land for development projects. Performing the inaugural ceremony on behalf of the President, the Western Regional Deputy Minister, Mrs. Eugenia Kusi, assured the traditional leaders and residents that government remains committed to fulfilling the promises made during the campaign period. She encouraged the people of Jomoro to put past challenges behind them and adopt exemplary conduct that would project a positive image of the municipality. She further advised residents, especially the youth, to abide by the laws governing the municipality in order to support the objectives for the establishment of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly and promote sustainable development. Source Hope FM
Jomoro Municipal Assembly supports people living with disabilities
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has supported over 100 people living with disabilities. This comes as a result of the NPP government 2016 campaign promise to increase the Disability Fund Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund, from 2 per cent to 3 per cent. The donations were in such categories as financial support, medical support, education support and items and income generation. The items included deep freezers, sewing machines, shoe machines, wheelchairs, stamping machines, shoe filling machines, cooking pots, piglets, electric machines, and fufu pounding machines. The rest of the items included flour and sugar, P. A system, knitting machine, toughing machine, hair dryers, base, rollers, learner’s head, power amplifiers, and physical cash. Delivering the items to the beneficiaries at Half Assini-Takoradi Lorry Station over the weekend, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Mr. Ernest Kofie, said the government and for that matter, the Assembly had the desire to alleviate the challenges of the physically challenged and make life bearable for them. According to him, about 3.2% of the population in the Municipality is disabled, and there are slightly higher rates of disability among females than among males. He added that these segments of the population are confronted with several challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and inability to access proper healthcare and public services. “Today, the many worries and anxieties associated with disability of most of our brothers and sisters will reduce”, he assured. He emphasised, “This kind gesture is evidence of an avowed response by the NPP Government to solve the problems and the needs of people with disabilities in Ghana”. The MCE revealed that the NPP government led by President Akufo-Addo is poised to address some concerns of the disabilities in Ghana and urged the gathering to pray hard for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government to enable them keep the disabled in mind. “Today’s event is a clear demonstration that the government is poised to ensure that people living with disabilities have a good standing in society and the family. Let us pray for God’s guidance along the path of truth, justice, and to enable the President and the NPP Government to acquaint themselves with you, more than we are seeing today”, he said. He revealed to the gathering that the disbursement is in line with the guidelines of the District Assemblies Common Fund, in which a percentage of the total amount transferred to the Assemblies is allocated to persons with disabilities. “The Nana Akufo-Addo-led government has fulfilled its campaign promise of increasing the Disability Fund Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund, from 2% to 3%. The beneficiaries, who applied to the Assembly for support to embark on various forms of economic ventures, pay their medical bills and undergo surgical operations, pay their school fees and settle vocational training cost will be catered for today as the first batch of beneficiaries under the new arrangement. The Assembly is still receiving applications. I, therefore, call on all those who are disabled and have not applied to do so to enable them benefit from the fund”, he explained. He used the occasion to commend the Social Welfare Department and the Fund Management Committee of the Assembly for the thorough work done to select the beneficiaries and ensure that the funds were disbursed to the right people. Mr. Kofie advised those who found themselves in various schools sponsored by the Assembly to study hard in order to be successful in various professions in the future. He said to those who are in the skills training section to be humble to their masters and mistresses and to be trained and come out successfully. He also urged those who are in income generation to use the money given to them judiciously in order to expand their businesses and employ other people to work with. “Be less dependent,” he charged them. The MCE entreated the beneficiaries to do exactly what they requested the money for and also urged them to approach the Assembly for any technical advice or support in case of challenges. He used the opportunity to remind them that there would be intensive monitoring exercises to see how they were faring with the support received. “A team from the Assembly will be visiting the beneficiaries in this light. Applicants who used their share of the fund differently from what they applied for will not be spared”, he warned. Speaking to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent after the ceremony, the MCE called on the Assembly members and all people in the area to assist the Assembly in generating more revenue for developmental projects. According to him, “the Assembly will soon embark on education and subsequent embossment of motorbikes, tricycles, cargo cars, Aboboya and other items. The Assembly seeks maximum support and cooperation of all”. The Western Regional President of Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Mr. Samuel Quansah, thanked the Assembly and government for supporting them with cash, items and educational assistance. He also thanked the MCE for being truthful to them and asked God to bless him abundantly. He also urged them not to squander the money and desist from sitting on the streets and begging for money for survival, and encouraged them not to be discriminated. Mr. Samuel Nyansu, the Jomoro Municipal Social Welfare Director, applauded the current government for this initiative to help persons living with disabilities to live a better life. He revealed that in the past, the government only gave the money to the disabled in physical cash, which allowed them to squander the money. “In the past we give the money to the beneficiaries in cash without encouraging them to use the money judiciously and always their lives do not improve but today this government has done well for initiating this program which will not allow them to squander the money and in fact this unprecedented, it has not happened before, I thank the government and MCE Ernest Kofie for this move”, he said. Mr. Nyansu, who is also the
Akufo-Addo promises to establish Forward Operating Base in Jomoro Municipality
The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged his commitment to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the country’s military at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region for the protection of the country’s oil resources. President Akufo-Addo who is also the Commander in chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) made the above utterance on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the graduation parade of the Ghana Military Academy (GMA), Teshie, near Accra, where he commissioned 138 cadet officers into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). Forward Operating Base (FOB) is any secured forward operational level military position commonly a military base that is used to support strategic goals and tactical objectives. An FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, machine shop or other logistical facilities while the base may be used for an extended period of time. They are traditionally supported by Main Operating Bases that are required to provide backup support to them while a FOB also improves reaction time to local areas as opposed to having all troops on the main operating base. Ghana, a few months ago, emerged victorious in a three-year maritime boundary dispute with neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire at the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Germany. The Chamber, in a unanimous decision on Saturday, 23 September 2017, ruled that there had not been any violation on the part of Ghana on Côte d’Ivoire’s maritime boundary. The Chamber rejected Côte d’Ivoire’s argument that Ghana’s coastal lines were unstable. Accordingly, the two countries have signed agreements on the implementation of the ruling by the tribunal. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, President Akufo-Addo revealed that a contract has been signed for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality to protect Ghana’s oil resources. “A contract has also been signed for the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ezinlibo in the Western Region to protect our oil resources, he assured. He said the government had signed a contract with a firm for work to begin on the project while the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) had also ordered six patrol boats to augment the fleet of the Navy as part of moves to protect the nation’s maritime resources and oil fields. “In conjunction with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, the Ministry of Defence has ordered six patrol boats for the Ghana Navy to help in the protection of our maritime resources and our oil fields. We have increased, since February 2017, the UN peacekeeping daily earned amount from $30 to $35, and consistently ensured that troops are paid at their operational areas, rather than being paid here at home,” he added. Whilst acknowledging that there are still some issues to be addressed, President Akufo-Addo assured that “other accommodation and equipment needs of the Ghana Armed Forces will be duly resolved to enhance efficiency and morale.” With the Ghana Military Academy not witnessing any significant development in its infrastructure, since its establishment in 1960, the President told the gathering that he has directed the Minister for Defence to take steps to wall off the remaining lands. “Plans have also been put in place for the building of new, state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the requirements of a 21st century training institution. This is a legacy I would want to bequeath to the Ghana Armed Forces,” he added. Maintain good relations with civilians. To the graduating officer cadets, President Akufo-Addo stated that they are joining a profession whose members have not only upheld its image, but also continue to ensure that the territorial integrity of our nation is preserved, thereby making Ghana peaceful and stable. “In order to execute your onerous obligations, the motto of the Academy, ‘Service, Devotion and Sacrifice’, must always be your guiding principles. You must bear in mind that the Ghana Armed Forces, over the years, has striven to maintain a healthy relationship with the civilian population, in line with the tenets of national integration and cohesion,” the President said. After the President’s announcement, some media houses have reported that the military base would be established in Ellembelle District of Western Region and the town where the base is going to be established has also been wrongly spelled. But a visit to the actual place by the GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent on Sunday, October 21, 2018, has revealed that the military base (Forward Operating Base) will be established at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality not Ellembelle District. The visit to the community has also helped GhanaWeb to cite a site plan of the proposed military base in the area. Interacting with some folks in the community, they thanked President Akufo-Addo for recognizing their area for this such an important project. The Assembly Member for the area, Hon. Emmanuel Assuah-Achie popularly known as Emmaseco said if project is established it will improve the economic activities of the area. He also thanked President Akufo-Addo for bringing such project to his electoral area. He confirmed the proposed site plan for the project cited by GhanaWeb as authentic and added the community is ever ready to cooperate with the contractor to establish it. He, therefore, used the opportunity and appealed to the youth in the area to support the contractor to establish it on time and also advised them to be disciplined before, during and after the project. He added “Mr. Reporter you have done well to visit here to ascertain the fact because I became worried when some media houses were saying that the establishment of the military base to protect our oil resources was going to be established in Ellembelle, God bless you for coming here. I urge the government to honour his promise and let me assure the government that we the people of Ezinlibo support this project and we will cooperate with the contractor to finish the project on time”. In all, 138 cadet
Jomoro MP cuts sod to build teachers quarters
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro Constituency of the Western Region, Mr. Paul Essien has reaffirmed his commitment to the provision of good quality and affordable education delivery by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration. Mr. Essien who is also a Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs noted that education continues to remain a vital tool to personal and national development especially with the depletion of the land through oil, gas and mining explorations. To this end the MP pronounced that “my term will witness an unprecedented and massive infrastructural and human resource development in the arena of education”. Mr. Essien, who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, made this known during a ground-breaking ceremony at Mangyea and Bonyere near Half-Assini to kick start the construction of seven quarters for Circuit Supervisors in the Jomoro Constituency. According to the MP,four(4) of the quarters which is a-three-bedroom and a hall plus kitchen,toilet and a bath self-contained, is to be built by the end of 2018 at Mangyea, Bonyere,Twenene and New Nzulezo with the additional three (3) to be cited and built next year under the MP Education Project Fund. The MP was accompanied by the District Director of Education for Jomoro, Mr. Peter Blay Ackah, the District Chief Executive for Jomoro, Mr. Ernest Kofie and an Assistant Director of Education in charge of Supervision, Madam Agnes Arthur. Mr. Essien noted that supervision and monitoring was at the heart of good quality education delivery hence it was imperative to accommodate each Circuit Supervisor in his circuit to deal with the problem of operating from far away their circuits. He charged the Circuit Supervisors to discharge their oversight responsibilities with diligence for the schools to produce better results in academics and extra-curricula activities to change the fortunes of the District. As part of the MP”s avowed commitment towards the pursuit of education, he has organized free classes for 437 remedial students and quiz competitions on FM stations for the Junior High Schools. Mr. Essien said computer laboratories would be set up in the schools which emerge first to fourth and an additional computer laptop would be given to each school child who excels in the six month competition. The MP announced that nine (9) schools in the District would benefit from the School Feeding Program this year. He advised parents to monitor their children to stay away from the Kunkum Bagyea romantic program and tune in to the FM stations during the quiz competition. The MP said it is the intention of the NPP government to to offer prudent economic policies that is why the free Senior High School policy had started with free exercise and textbooks, footwear, free meals which has indirectly put monies in the pockets of Ghanaians. He promised to refurbish the Half-Assini Senior High School Girl’s dormitory and asked the people to initiate Self-Help developmental projects for government to assist them. The District Director of Education Mr. Blay Ackah said accommodation was a major problem facing Circuit Supervisors posted to the District. He stressed the need for teachers to insulate themselves from politics and support government projects. Mr. Blay Ackah appealed to Nzemas to pursue higher education before they could be absorbed in the oil and gas industry. The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro, Mr. Ernest Kofie pledged the Assembly”s resolve to assist the MP”s project. He said the Assembly had signed a contract to procure furniture for the schools and promised to assist the Bonyere community to upgrade its Kindergarte. Source : ghanamps.com
MCE for Jomoro worried over security threats
The Jomoro District Assembly in the Western Region has held its second Ordinary General Meeting for the year 2017 to address challenges facing the District and find solutions to them. The meeting brought together the District Chief Executive (DCE), Jomoro Magistrate, Assemblymen and women, Government appointees, Chiefs and Queen mother, Heads of Department, Political Party Executives, Non-Governmental Organizations and the media. Addressing the meeting, the DCE Hon. Ernest Kofie, expressed profound gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the opportunity granted him to represent him in the Jomoro District. He also thanked the Paramount Chief of Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulea Annor Adjaye III, Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie and his Deputy, Hon Eugenia Kusi, the Member of Parliament of the area, Hon. Paul Essien, Assembly Members, Heads of Department, among others,s for their unflinching support given to him. The District Chief Executive took over the administration of the Jomoro District on 1st November 2017 and assumed work officially on Monday, November 6, 2017. Security Situation In The District The Members were briefed on the security situation in the area. Hon. Ernest Kofie expressed his worries over the security threats in the District and called on the Members of the Assembly to play their roles in sustaining peace in the area. “There is a relatively calm security situation in the District. However, stealing of coconut, chieftaincy disputes in areas such as Bonyere, Ellenda, Tikobo No. 2, Nvellenu, Bawia and the use of motorbikes for commercial purpose popularly known as ‘Okada’, are, however, threats to security in the District. There was also a murder case at Takinta four months ago and an armed robbery at Elubo, which resulted in the death of one person about two months ago. The DISEC and other agencies are working assiduously to maintain peace in the District. Hon. PM, most of the security agencies are operating under very challenging conditions. Office and residential accommodations woefully inadequate. The current Police- Citizen ratio of one police officer to about two thousand (1:2,000) people puts a lot of pressure on the police. Let us all be involved in the maintenance of peace in the District by volunteering the needed security information to the police for the necessary urgent action. I want to also plead with Hon. Members to remain neutral in all disputes, especially chieftaincy and land-related disputes”, he highlighted. Revenue Performance Hon. Presiding Member, this year has been very challenging. The Internally Generated Fund (IGF) is not doing well as expected. The Assembly estimated to collect an amount of GHc. 712,732.00 in 2017. The total collection as at 30th September, 2017, stood at GHc. 350,554.84, representing 49 per cent of the budgeted figure. Management has put in place a revenue task force to augment the effort of the revenue staff. A revenue Committee involving the various revenue departments have also been put in place to compile data and do regular assessments of the revenue performance. Public education on revenue has also been organised. We are also going to vigorously embark on the collection of property rates. This, combined with the operations of the task force, would enable us to raise enough funds for developments. Most of the statutory funds are still in arrears. The fourth quarter of 2016 and the first and second quarters of 2017 of the District Assemblies Common Fund totaling GHc. 900,615.89 has been received. The first and second quarters’ allocations of the MP’s Common Fund have also been received. The Assembly is still waiting for the third and fourth quarters’ allocations. Nothing had been received yet for DDF. Planting for Food and Investment Programme The planting for food, jobs and investment programme by the government is ongoing in the District. Pepper and rice production is being promoted under the food and jobs programme. 20 bags of rice seed, 595 sachets of pepper seed, 100 bags of ammonium fertiliser, and 100 bags of NPK have been supplied to farmers under the programme. One Female Agric Extension Officer has been posted to beef up the staff strength of the Agric Department. Fifty-one (51) Farmers have cultivated a total of 51.0 hectares of land for pepper production in 12 communities. The Agric District Department will soon embark on a sensitisation exercise to encourage groups and individuals to engage in the cultivation of these crops. Various credits and support facilities are available under the programme. One District, One Factory Hon. PM, frantic efforts are being made for the establishment of industries in the District under the 1D-1F policy. The industries are to be established from the coconut oil and gas raw materials. I call on Honourable Members and the traditional authorities to effectively collaborate to play their respective roles well to provide the congenital environment for these industries to thrive. Ghana School Feeding Programme According to him, “This initiative by the government is on course in the District. New caterers who applied for the programme were interviewed in July 2017 and have subsequently been appointed to work on the programme” He also revealed that fourteen new caterers have been appointed to start cooking for the beneficiary schools in the District. He also added that payment for the first term of the 2016/2017 academic year has been paid. “The second and third terms’ payments are in arrears”. Major Development Projects Hon. PM, not many physical projects were witnessed in the District during the period. Most of the projects executed were roll-on projects from 2016. Prominent among the projects are; 1. Part payment for the industrial site at Elubo 2. Construction of No. 1 Semi-detached Staff accommodation at Half Assini – 82% completion 3. Construction of CHPs compound at Nuba and Mpataba – 100% completed 4. Construction of CHPs compound at Adusuazo – 95% completion 5. Construction of 6-unit classroom block with ancillary facilities at Anwiafutu – 90% completion 6. Re-roofing of DCD’s bungalow – 100 completed 7. Rehabilitation of market sheds at Tikobo No. 1 – 100% completed 8. Rehabilitation of borehole at Ahobre – 100% completed. Key Development
MCE appeal to investors – Help revive coconut factory
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jomoro in the Western Region, Ernest Kwofie, is calling for the revival of the coconut processing factory in the district. According to him, it appears investors and corporate entities in the country had lost sight of the economic value in the processing and sale of coconut related products. He made this revelation on the sidelines of a day’s conference organised by Ghana Export Promotion Authority. It was aimed at helping the MMDCEs in the Western Region to identify one exportable product in their district. He intimated that the coconut factory when revived would contribute immensely to the country’s export earnings and create jobs for the teeming youth within the district. Mr Kwofie recounted how the defunct coconut factory used to process coconut fiber into fertilisers for exportation had to collapse due to the cost of production and unfair trade practices. “The coconut factory in its prime time did process coconut fiber into fertilisers and they were exporting it to the Caribbean which was fetching the country much foreign exchange and also created lot of jobs for the local people…but owing to cost of production and unfair trade practices the factory had to collapse. The nation is losing revenues,” he indicated. He added that Jomoro Municipality was noted for its production of coconut oil for the local market. In this regard, Mr Kwofie said he was positive that that factory when revived will produce processed coconut oil in larger quantities, which will be exported to other countries. He therefore, called on investors and corporate entities to take advantage of the one district one factory policy and set up factories to fully utilise the resources which were in abundance in the district. Mr Kwofie reiterated that “Jomoro Municipality is expecting more than one factory, because aside from coconut which is in abundance in the district, Jomoro also has oil and other cash crops… therefore, investors should take advantage of the policy of one district one factory and troop into the district and set up factories to leverage on these resources.” He however, asserted that his office was opened to welcome investors, and assured providing a business friendly environment for businesses to strive. Source : todaygh.com | Story: Simon Ahensah, ATV, Takoradi, Western Region
Jomoro Municipal assembly confirms MCE
Half Assini (WR) Nov. 8, GNA – Members of the Jomoro District assembly have finally endorsed Mr Ernest Kwofie as the District chief executive for Jomoro. This is the fourth time the Assembly members had to vote to confirm the nomination of Mr Kwofie. He polled 47 out of the 49 votes cast with two rejected ballots. Mr Kwofie 43, years old and a native of Tikobo number one holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Cape Coast. The Western Regional Minister Dr Kwaku Afriyie who swore Mr Kwofie into office, thanked the Assembly members for confirming the MCE and asked them to give him the needed support to perform his duties. The MCE in a brief address, thanked the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo for nominating him as the District Chief Executive for the Jomoro area. He commended the Assembly members for the confidence reposed in him after having to appear before them four times to seek their mandate Mr Kwofie promised to give of his best to ensure the development of the district and urged the members to give him the needed assistance and support to enable him perform his duties effectively. He also pledged to always consult them before any action was taken.
Jomoro District finally gets MCE
Has a Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Ernest Kwofie, who was approved by 47 out of 49 Assembly Members, signifying an overwhelming endorsement. The approval process, which involved an election, was officiated by the Deputy Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Godwin Mensah Tawiah. His approval on Wednesday was the fourth in a series of attempts to get the President’s nominee approved by the Assembly after one nominee was rejected three times. The first nominee, Mr. Eric Muah, was outrightly rejected by Assembly Members. The Jomoro district had been without a DCE after Mr. Eric Muah was rejected on three different occasions. Hon. Ernest Kwofie, during his inauguration, commended President Akufo-Addo, the Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Paul Essien, and other stakeholders for trusting him to lead the members in Jomoro District. He said the District, which is in its formative stage, required a very aggressive and tactical approach to ensure the development of the area. He promised to address the falling standard of education, improve the quality of healthcare delivery and improve sanitation. “The development agenda of the District is delaying and we have to start the works immediately to catch up with other Districts,” he noted. He called on the people in the District to support him regardless of their political standing and asked for unity to facilitate progressiveness in the district. He also called for peaceful co-existence to ensure the smooth implementation of pro-poor programmes, including the planting for food and jobs, one-district-one factory, among others. The Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, congratulated the DCE on his confirmation and charged him to work with all the people in the District. He promised to work hard with the new DCE to ensure smooth administration of the District. Present at the confirmation were the Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Deputy Western Regional Minister, Hon.Eugunia Kusi, NPP Western Regional Acting Chairman, Mr. Francis Ndede Siah, Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency, Hon. Paul Essien, NPP Western Regional Secretary, who is also a Presidential Staffer, Mr. Charles Bisiw and others. Source: ghanaweb.com