Some of the participants in a pose after the meeting
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle in the Western Region, Kwasi Bonzoh, has advised the youth in the area to eschew all forms of violence and choose peace for the accelerated development of the district.
To this end, he has called on a section of the youth in the area who have decided to demonstrate against the Ghana Gas company in the district to rescind their decision.
DAILY GUIDE learnt that some youth in the Jomoro municipality in the Nzema area wanted to demonstrate against the gas processing company located in the Ellembelle district, for allegedly doing nothing about some deplorable roads in the Jomoro area.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the roads in question have been awarded on contract, and that until the contract is terminated, Ghana Gas cannot do anything about those roads.
The Ellembelle District Security Committee (DISEC) has, therefore, met with the leadership of the youth group to explain to them the need to halt the demonstration, since Ghana Gas Company was already supporting the development of the area in diverse ways.
Addressing the youth at Nkroful, the DCE said, “It is peace we are all looking for. You have the right as a Ghanaian to demonstrate but at this stage, you do not have any justification to demonstrate against Ghana Gas.”
He added, “The problem we are facing currently is because the road has been given on a contract by Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), and if that contract is not terminated, Ghana Gas cannot construct it.”
“The state of the roads are affecting all of us, and it is the wish of all of us that the roads will be fixed, but demonstration will not be the best way to get things done,” he pointed out.
“In as much as we all want the roads to be constructed, we still have to go through the right processes. Making Ghana Gas the target of your demonstration at this stage is wrong,” he told the youth.
The Senior Manager, Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Ghana Gas, Stephen Donkor, told the youth leaders that he has met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNPC and the board chair, and they are looking at terminating the existing contract, so that the road can be awarded to a new constructor.
“All that we need is peace, and it is peace that will help us solve the problem at hand,” he stressed.
Blay Miezah, convenor of the Jomoro Youth Association, was grateful for how well the issues were explained to them, stressing, “So we will cancel our demonstration but submit our grievances in a letter to Ghana Gas in a peaceful way that would not create any chaos.”
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi