Nana Kobina Nketsia
The President of Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, has called on the government to prioritise revamping the Western Rail Line.
He mentioned that investing in the Boankra Inland Port in the Ashanti Region is not a bad idea but “The government should first revamp the Western Rail Line”.
The Regional House of Chiefs’ President who is also the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area was addressing stakeholders at the Western Regional Development Retreat in Takoradi.
The Regional Development Retreat, an initiative of the Western Regional Coordinating Council, was to facilitate dialogues on solutions that will address the numerous developmental challenges facing the Western Region.
He said developing the Western Rail Line would not only boost the economy but also create jobs and enhance food security in communities along the rail lines.
“The initiative will also facilitate the transportation of foodstuffs to Sekondi-Takoradi and beyond”, he added.
He bemoaned the fact that successive governments have failed to honour their promises of developing the rail sector.
“We were promised railway development using oil revenues, but later, nothing materialized,” he said.
The Western Region Minister, Joseph Nelson noted that the challenges confronting the rail sector would not only affect the region’s transportation network but also hinder community development and deprive residents of livelihoods.
He assured that the government would redevelop the rail sector to aid in the transportation of bulk goods such as bauxite, timber, cocoa, manganese, among others.
The Minister appealed to traditional leaders to prioritise conflict resolution on pending chieftaincy disputes.
“I am appealing to you Nananom to prioritise peace. I am concerned about the numerous chieftaincy disputes in our region”.
“Please utilise the judicial committees of traditional councils and the Chieftaincy Act to resolve the conflicts”, he added.
He said he envisioned a region free of chieftaincy disputes, to enable the government revamp industries, promote sustainable mining, create jobs, and preserve cultural heritage.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi