President Akufo-Addo being welcome by traditional leaders at Asankra Breman
President Akufo-Addo has assured the chiefs and people of Wassa Fiase traditional area that the Bonsa Tyre and the Aboso Glass Factory in the Western Region are going to be revived under the government’s ‘One-district, One-factory’ programme.
“Government is working hard to revive the previously productive tyre manufacturing entity, while efforts are underway to revive the Aboso Glass factory in the Prestea-Huni Valley District”, the President assured the people.
He disclosed that feasibility studies were almost in completion as part of efforts to revive the two defunct factories.
According to him, it was prudent to revive the Bonsa Tyre factory since the raw materials to feed the factory are grown in the Western and Central Regions.
President Akufo-Addo was interacting with the chiefs and people of Wassa Fiase traditional area at Tarkwa last Saturday, as part of his three-day tour of the Western Region.
The President was responding to a request by Osaberima Kwaw Entsie II, Omanhene of Mpohor traditional area on behalf of the chiefs. He made a request for the government to revive the two defunct factories under the ‘One-district, One-factory’ programme.
The chiefs also appealed to the President to consider the rehabilitation of the Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa road, which was constructed during former President J. A. Kufuor’s administration.
Other demands the chiefs made were the prompt payment and increase of mining royalties paid to the traditional rulers.
Responding to the concerns of the chiefs, the President gave an assurance that government was working towards the prompt payment of royalties to deserving chiefs.
President Akufo-Addo expressed appreciation to the people of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency for voting massively for him and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the 2016 general elections.
He gave the assurance that government was going to ensure the area gets its fair share of the national cake.
With regard to the deplorable Tarkwa town roads, the President told the people that there was a cabinet meeting recently during which a decision was taken that the Tarkwa town roads would be fixed this year.
“We have also had a meeting with the mining companies and implored them to develop the mining towns and communities in which they operate to befit their status”, he added.
District Hospitals
The President announced that this year the government would construct five district hospitals in the region as part of efforts to meet the health needs of the people.
He mentioned the areas to benefit from the health facilities as Akontombra, Nsuaem, Mpohor, Axim and Bogoso.
Galamsey
“Mining has been our legacy since the colonial days, but I have sworn an oath to protect our river bodies, forest resources, land and the environment in general”, the President indicated.
He continued, “In the past, we used to drink from Birim and other rivers, but now they have all been polluted and so I will not condone any improper way of doing things”.
He assured the people that very soon the ban on small scale mining would be lifted to allow licensed miners do their business without any problem.
Free SHS
He said education was key to the development of any nation, hence his decision to make free senior high school (SHS) the flagship of his administration.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Mr George Mireku Duker, thanked the President for visiting the area on three occasions after winning the 2016 elections. “This shows that the President appreciates what the people of Tarkwa have done for him and the NPP,” he added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa