AKUAPEM RIDGE TOWNS BENEFIT FROM WATER PROJECT (SPREAD, OCT 26, 2010)

TOWNS and communities located on the Akuapem Ridge in the Eastern Region are to benefit from a water supply project designed to solve the perennial water problem in the area.
When completed in 2012, the rural water project, which is a component of the Kpong Old Water Works, will benefit communities such as Akorley, Abonse, Aperede, Adukrom, Awukugua, Dawu, Akropong, Mamfe, Amanokrom, Tutu, Obosomase, Ahwerase, Aburi, Gyankama, Peduase, Kitase and Berekuso.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Bagbin, who disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf at the Odwira festival of the chiefs and people of Aburi on Saturday, said access to improved water supply would enhance economic activities in the beneficiary communities.
The event, which was used to raise funds in aid of the Aburi Educational Fund and development projects in the area, drew a large gathering of people, including the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu; the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal; the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South, Dr Godfried O.B. Twum, and the Member of Parliament for Aburi/Nsawam, Mr O. B. Amoah.
Mr Bagbin said though the government inherited difficulties in practically every sector of the economy on assumption of office, it was making every effort to resuscitate the economy, as well as restore various social services to the people.
Highlighting some of the developments on the Akuapem Ridge, he said the refurbishment of the Presidential Lodge at Peduase had finally been completed.
He also announced that the Peduase village facelift and infrastructural upgrading, which were major additional works to the Peduase Lodge Project, had also been completed.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, said the construction of the Pantang-Mamfe road, initiated by the NDC government and implemented by the NPP government, had enhanced the movement of the people and goods.
He, however, said the Aburi-Nsawam road project, which was awarded some years ago, had come to a standstill due to inefficiency on the part of the contractor and indicated that the contract would soon be re-awarded to “a credible and competent contractor”.
He hinted that a number of selected roads in the Aburi township would soon be rehabilitated, while the Ghana Highway Authority, in collaboration with the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI), was undertaking studies on the landslide on the hills at Ayi Mensah to curb any future landslide in the area.
Mr Jamal advised the youth to prepare themselves adequately by taking their education seriously to enable them to face the future with confidence.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the Aburihene, Nana Otubuor Kwasi Gyan, expressed appreciation to the government for the construction of the Aburi Craft Village, which, he said, would create jobs for the youth in the area.
He expressed concern at the poor state of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, which he attributed to lack of maintenance and, therefore, called for a public-private partnership to assist in the refurbishment of the gardens.