Old men and women joined the youth as they presented their petition to Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II
THE YOUTH of Mamponteng, capital of the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region, have embarked on a peaceful demonstration over an alleged relocation of a community project.
They climaxed the demonstration with a petition to Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II, chief of Mamponteng, to intervene in the relocation of the project to restore peace.
Barely a month ago, the queenmother of Mamponteng, Nana Kyerew Akenten, together with the Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Sylvester Tetteh, cut sod for the construction of a 500-seater multi-purpose youth centre on a 12-acre land.
The proposed Mamponteng youth centre project which is estimated to cost GH¢2.8 million formed part of the government’s agenda to create jobs and empower the youth through sports and infrastructural development.
A FIFA-standard football pitch, an eight-lane athletic track, tennis, basketball and handball courts, restaurant and a gym were some components of the project.
However, the youth of the community were shocked to learn that the project which is scheduled to be completed within five months had been relocated to a one-acre school park, belonging to the Roman Catholic school in the community.
According to the youth, all efforts to get to the NYA boss and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Francisca Oteng Mensah, who chairs the National Youth Authority Board for explanation, have proved futile.
Clad in red armed bands, they held placards with inscriptions like “Where is the park”, “Original place is best”, “His Excellency, Mamponteng deserves better”, “Save us Nana Addo” and “The uncompleted market has become a hub for criminals.”
The youth who were already incensed at the abandonment of the Mampongten town roads, appealed to the Mamponteng chief and his elders to, as soon as possible, intervene to avoid the unexpected.
James Frimpong, the youth leader, noted that the facility if completed at the proposed site would be the second of its kind to be established; the first is situated at Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District.
He recalled how the NYA CEO and his entourage called on the Mamponteng chief to brief him about the project last month. It was learnt at that meeting that the NYA sought to create an enabling environment through infrastructure for the development of national athletes and entrepreneurs.
James Frimpong, therefore, wondered what could have influenced the sudden change of the location of the project.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the youth leader said they petitioned the chief to find out why a 12-acre land which was first released for the project changed into a one-acre land.
He said three major issues that worried the youth were the sudden relocation of a standard FIFA football pitch, deceptive town road projects and abandoned market project.
He, however, expressed optimism about the traditional leader’s ability to take a prompt action to get the project constructed at its original site.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi