Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, the Chief of Akyem Old Tafo in the Abuakwa North of the Eastern region, has reaffirmed his resolve to assist in overseeing development projects in his enclaves.
He has therefore urged his sub-chiefs and the local populace to work hard to realize his goals.
The request was made by Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV during his address during a durbar to commemorate this year’s Ohum Kan Festival on the theme of “Homecoming to Foster Unity and Development” on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Akyem Tafo.
Ohum is specifically performed to welcome a new yam and give thanks to God the Almighty, the Ancestors, and the gods of the land for provision of abundance of new yam as well as protection.
Speaking to journalist Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Afeema FM, the chief of Akyem Tafo urged the government and the minister for roads and highways to mend the area’s terrible roads.
When speaking about the terrible condition of the roads, Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV claimed that companies had been negatively impacted.
In addition to the failure of companies, the poor quality of the roads the majority of which were dusty and muddy during the rainy season was causing many health issues among the locals, including chest infections and their goods being covered in dust.
According to the chief the contractor for the road construction has abandoned site and upon several appeal and personal engagement with the road minister, hon. Kwasi Amoako Atta to call the contractor back to site to complete the project has yielded no results.
The paramount chief of Akyem Old Tafo again bemoaned the devastating state of patients at the Tafo hospital due to its limited capacity to accommodate people who visit the facility for treatment.
This is because, the facility has run out of beds due to inadequate spaces in the wards and theater rooms adding that, the facility has been overwhelmed by a recent surge in cases of contagious disease and other health Issues forcing nurses to admit more patients on a bed, while others are managed on mats at open spaces within the facility.
He blamed the government for relocating the “Agenda 111” hospital project meant for Akyem Old Tafo to another district at their blind side.
On Education, Osabarima Adusei Peasah stated that, the people of Akyem Tafo are very grateful to President Akufo Addo for implementing the free education but the SHS in Tafo needs more facilities because the available classrooms are not enough for the students.
He said, it’s disgusting to note that the students at the Akyem Tafo Senior High School “are packed like Sardines” due to increasing enrollment rate thus, he has called on the government to expand the facility to reduce congestion.
For her part, the Kyidomhene of Akyem Tafo, Nana Adepa Amponsah Yeboah l tasked the Ministry of Tourism to make Akyem Tafo a tourist hub to attract visitors all year round to the Akyem Abuakwa district.
This is expected to aid in creation of job opportunities and improve the socio-economic well-being of the people of Akyem Tafo.
Under the agenda, the Chief said, they have identified an Ancient Tree in Tafo as tourist potential sites with compelling historical backgrounds to be harnessed and developed into modern tourist destinations.
Addressing the dignitaries to highlight the purpose of gathering, Nana Adepa Amponsah Yeboah called on their member of Parliament and the district Assembly to construct the new phase of Tafo market to enhance trading and their livelihood.
She said the chiefs and the executive members of the market had made several follow ups to the Assembly to persuade them to build the new market but to no avail.
Nana Adepa Amponsah Yeboah said, market women wares were always at the mercy of the weather since there was no proper place to keep them.
Kyidomhene Nana Adepa Amponsah Yeboah I again used the opportunity to seek for support for the completion of the Akyem Old Tafo community center.
The Deputy Minister for Education in charge of TVET who doubles as a Member of Parliament(MP) for Abuakwa North, Mrs. Gifty Twum-Ampofo who represented the Vice President as a special guest, congratulated the chiefs for celebrating this year’s Ohum Kan festival amidst colourful cultural display.
However, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the goal of the Free TVET Education is to make the country’s youth globally competitive; as a result, she urged chiefs and parents to give priority to their children’s TVET education because it helps fight poverty and unemployment by giving students the tools and skills they need to improve their lives.
In response to Nana Adepa Amponsah Yeboah’s appeal for assistance in finishing the Akyem Tafo Community Center, Hon. Gifty Twum Ampofo promises to provide the building with the necessary equipment, with a portion of the structure being used for a local vocational training school.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Kaakyire Kwasi Afari