Hon Darko-Mensah (Middle) flanked by Mr Ndede Siah and other officials
The Western Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has urged the people in the area, particularly the unemployed youth who have become disillusioned under the current Mahama administration not to lose hope.
According to the Regional NPP, the ‘One District, One-Factory’ policy proposed by the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo would help create many jobs in the region.
The party indicated that the Western region was endowed with cocoa, gold, bauxite, manganese, timber, oil palm, coconut oil and gas to support the laudable ‘one district, one factory’ policy of the NPP’s flagbearer in the region.
It consequently appealed to the electorate, especially those in the Western region to have faith in the party and its flagbearer, Nana Addo and vote massively to ensure victory in the December polls for the party’s proposed programme to come to fruition.
Addressing a press conference in Shama ahead of a five-day tour of the region by Nana Addo, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, who spoke on behalf of the regional branch of the party, stated that hopelessness among Ghanaians, particularly the youth, would give way to optimism under a Nana Addo-led government.
He mentioned that factories could be established in areas like Juaboso, Jomoro, Ellembelle, Ahanta West West, Mpohor, Wassa East, Shama and Tarkwa to process plantain, cocoa, coconut, rubber, palm fruit, bamboo and fish to create jobs for the teeming youth.
“It is evident that the impact of the ‘one district, one factory’ policy will solve most of the youth unemployment challenges which has become an albatross around the neck of the nation and the Western region in particular,” he stated.
The Takoradi MP disclosed that under the previous Kufuor administration, cocoa production increased from 350,000 tonnes in the year 2000 to approximately 1,000,000 tonnes in 2010 as a result of efficient policies, including mass cocoa spraying initiated by the NPP.
“Currently, cocoa production has plummeted to approximately 700,000 metric tonnes which should not be the case, because Ivory Coast, which has the same land mass area for cocoa production of 1.7 million hectors, produces 1.6 million metric tonnes of cocoa,” he mentioned.
Commenting on some projects embarked on by the Kufuor-led NPP government in the Western region, Hon Darko-Mensah mentioned that the infrastructure of schools such as Shama Senior High School (SHS), Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High, Amenfiman Senior High and Sefwi Wiawso Senior High schools were improved tremendously.
“The following works were also done: setting up the University of Mines and Technology, massive infrastructure development, construction of an Assembly hall for Fijai Senior High and Girls’ dormitory for Sekondi College, among others,” he added.
He said some road projects-Half-Assini town roads, Tanoso-Chirano-Subri Nkwanta phase 1, Apowa-Mpoho-Benso, Telekubokazo-Aiyinase, Alabokazo-Eikwe-Tikobo No.1 and Esiama Town roads, among others, were started by the NPP before it left office.
“Some other programmes initiated in both the regional and national levels include Nurses’ Awards Scheme, Cocoa farmers’ Housing Scheme, Western Region Education Endowment Fund, the School Feeding Programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),” he indicated.
Nana Addo Visits
Meanwhile, supporters and sympathisers of the NPP in the region are preparing to give the 2016 presidential candidate of the party a rousing welcome as he embarks on a tour of the region as part of his campaign to win the December polls.
Nana Addo will begin his five-day tour to the area from Bibiani and Sefwi Wiawso constituencies in the northern part of the region on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 and end on Sunday, August 14, 2016 in Sekondi.
Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage will be in Sefwi Akontombra, Suaman, Aowin and Amenfi West Constituencies on Friday, August 12.
He will also visit Amenfi Central, Amenfi East and Prestea Huni Valley constituencies on Saturday, August 13, 2016.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Shama