Kennedy Gilbert Asmah
The Akufo-Addo government has demonstrated that it is committed to bringing development to the people of the mining area of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality in the Western Region.
The government is currently negotiating with the mining companies in the area to put in place a ‘stability agreement’ to enable the mining companies to use an appreciable portion of their royalties for the development of the communities in the municipality.
Such interventions would cover the construction of Artisanal Village, asphalting of roads in the communities, development of nurses’ and midwifery training college on a 16-acre land in Tarkwa.
The intervention would also help to set up a model small-scale mining company to give practical training to small-scale miners and expand the premier university in the Western Region – University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) – in Tarkwa.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE after a town hall meeting in Tarkwa, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Kennedy Gilbert Asmah, noted that a number of projects had been undertaken by the government since it assumed political power.
He mentioned the creation of the Essaman Kakraba Wood Village for craftsmen, enhancement of the Dompim CHPS compound, furnishing of the Tarkwa Police Station and supply of 37,000 free cocoa seedlings to farmers.
“The assembly has demonstrated serious commitment towards government’s flagship programmes such as Planting for Export and Rural Development and One District, One Factory”, he stated.
Tarkwa Roads
He mentioned that one important project which was so dear to the people of Tarkwa was the construction of the 61.50-kilometre road stretching from Tarkwa to Apimanim.
He said efforts were being made to get it fixed in the earliest possible time, adding that “it is also the plan of the assembly to construct a befitting ultra-modern town hall for the municipality which would serve as a forum for social gatherings”.
Revenue
The MCE indicated that revenue mobilization in the municipality continued to be an issue and called on the residents to continue to share their ideas on how to improve revenue mobilization in the area.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa