The Wassa East District Assembly of the Western Region has identified five sustainable projects under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative as part of measures to create more jobs for the youth in the area.
This came to light during a town hall meeting to review its performance in the year ended 2018 as part of measures to remain accountable to the people and bring governance closer to their doorsteps.
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The meeting which featured the Ateiku Area Council is the first to be held among four Area Councils in 2019.
It was attended by Assembly Members, traditional rulers, staff of the Assembly, opinion leaders, residents in the catchment area of Ateiku Area Council and the media.
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Giving an overview of the Assembly’s performance last year in a power point presentation, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Mr. Wilson Arthur touching on critical development and social issues, said, the Assembly had made giant strides in creating an enabling environment for investment to thrive in the District.
He disclosed that five (5) projects have been identified under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
The projects are the Wassa East Quarry, an Oil Palm Processing Factory, a Starch Factory, a Seed Factory and a Rubber Factory.
The DCE contended that more jobs were likely to be created out of the 1D1F initiatives to stem youth unemployment and alleviate poverty.
Mr. Arthur said the Assembly made Agriculture attractive as 1,060 farmers benefited from the planting for food and jobs programme.
As part of this feat, the Assembly procured 50 spraying machines to support activities of spraying farms in the District.
Under the planting for Export and Rural Development, 430,060 cocoa seedlings were distributed to farmers free of charge.
Touching on Social Protection and Vulnerability, he said the Assembly was able to expand LEAP from 288 households in 34 communities.
On Education, Mr. Arthur said 6,955 children from 23 schools benefited from the School Feeding Programme.
The District registered 2083 candidates for the BECE out of which 2032 representing 91.1% passed and enrolled in Secondary and TVET in the District.
Mr. Arthur added that the Assembly made special investments by distributing 5,100 school uniforms to school children adding that additional 5,000 uniforms were received and are yet to be distributed.
Still, on education, the Assembly sponsored Mock examinations and a Mega awards day organized for teachers and also sponsored an Inter-District Sports competition at Axim where it emerged the best.
He disclosed that 20 additional ICT centers have been built with 10 computers with UBS for each center.
On Social Protection and Vulnerability, the Assembly was able to expand LEAP from 288 households in 34 communities.
About 260 persons with disabilities (PWDs) were supported with cash, food and equipment and an additional 181 supported with start-up capital.
On infrastructure, the DCE mentioned the re-shaping of the New Subri-Appesuma 3km road, the Sekyere-Krobo-Sekyere-Didiso 4km roads as projects completed.
The Nyamebekyere-Rockshine 3km, the Kakabo junction-Kakabo 4km road and the Ahenkro junction-Ahenkro 2km road were all completed.
He mentioned capital projects such as the Akyempim Nurses Quarters (complete), Ateiku market (under construction) CHPS compound at Essaman and a Police post at Enyinabrim were under construction.
On health care delivery, Mr. Arthur said 29 health facilities including private ones abound in the District. However, the Doctor-Patient ratio was 1:2,400.
During an open forum, the Head at the Business Advisory Center of the Wassa East Assembly, Mr. Daniel Adjei Sarpong said plans were far advanced to establish 2 industrial sites for artisans in the District by the end of 2019.
Source: Daniel Kaku