President Akufo-Addo after unveiling the plaque
President Akufo-Addo on Sunday cut the sod for the construction of the Axim Sea Defence Wall in fulfillment of the pledge he made to the people of Axim in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.
The project is meant to protect the ancient coastal town in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region from the ravages of the sea which has destroyed some property along the shoreline in the area.
It stretches a distance of seven kilometres from Brawire to Apewosika in the Axim area.
The sea defence wall project, which is being undertaken by Makam Plant Hire Limited, is expected to be completed in 24 months’ time.
Speaking at this year’s Kundum Festival at Axim prior to the cutting of the sod, President Akufo-Addo recounted his visit to Brawire in Axim in 2016 during which he witnessed at firsthand the devastation caused by tidal waves to the community.
He, therefore, pledged to ensure the construction of the sea defence wall if given the nod by the people of Axim and by extension the people of Ghana.
“Today, I am here to fulfill this promise. Axim is the birthplace of George Alfred Paa Grant, and we are doing this in his honour, as well as to secure the lives and property of residents of Axim,” he mentioned.
The President told the people that the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, would in a fortnight cut the sod for the construction of the Axim town roads in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira Constituency.
Awulae Attibrukusu III, Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Area, thanked President Akufo-Addo for implementing the free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
According to the chief, about 1,200 people have benefitted from the free SHS policy in Axim, with more students expected to be enrolled in September in schools in the traditional area.
“We thank you for the introduction of the free SHS policy to help parents and guardians across the country, especially those in the rural areas,” he pointed out.
He continued, “Mr. President, you always keep your promise. When you pledge, you fulfill. You said you were going to bring us free SHS, and you have fulfilled that pledge. We thank you, and we give you applause for what you have done.”
The Paramount Chief also commended the President for the on-going projects in Axim, including the sports complex in Axim.
He noted that since his enstoolment in1988, he has repeatedly appealed to successive governments at every Kundum Festival to construct the sea defence wall.
“I am happy that today, we are going to see the light. During the campaign time, you were at my palace, you said to me, Awulae Attibrukusu, I promise that God-willing if I am given the mandate, Axim Sea Defence Wall will be the first project that I will do for you,” he stressed.
He, therefore, thanked President Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise, saying that “the people of Lower Axim, Upper Axim and all the people of Axim are grateful to you.”
“We will ensure that this project proceeds smoothly and completed on time.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Makam Plant Hire Limited, Ato Mould, told journalists that the project would be completed ahead of schedule.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Axim