Strategy to Reduce Poverty in Volta Underway

from All Africa

Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)

By Samuel Agbewoode
Keta

The Volta Foundation, a non- governmental organization, (NGO), championing the development of the Volta Region, has drawn up a number of development programmes, which would be executed this year, to address some of the development needs of the region.

The development targets for the year, includes education, health, agriculture and tourism which sectors have many opportunities that have not been tapped, to the benefit of the people.

The President and Founder of the Volta Foundation, Mr. Raymond Okudzeto, who made this known at the second anniversary celebration of the organization, at Keta, remarked that his organization would strive hard to help reduce poverty in the Volta Region, through the implementation of pragmatic programmes, which would set the pace for the developmenat of the region.

The Volta Foundation President noted that the region was endowed with the relevant human resources, which could be used for the development of the people, adding that the Volta Foundation had invested in the exploring and exposure of potentials that abound in the region, to attract investors.

Mr. Okudzeto said the investment drive of the Foundation, focused on job-creation for the increasing number of the youth without employment, noting that when the youth were assured of quality education, as well as employment, it would reduce the rural urban drift, as they would stay and work in the region.

He disclosed that the French government had embraced the effort of the Foundation, and embarked on a rice development programme in the northern part of the region, which has the potential for rice production.

Mr. Okudzeto said another area of concern, to his organization, was the high cost of energy, and announced that the Foundation was preparing to go into renewable energy production, as it has evolved strategies to engage in jatropha plantations, aimed at the establishment of bio-diesel production centers in the region.

This, he noted, would be an incentive for investors, since they would minimize expenditure on energy, and called on investors to take advantage of the vast investment potentials in the region, to engage in fruitful businesses.

The Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Edward Ahiabor, said the area had a lot of tourism potential, which could be used to promote development of the District, saying the Keta Lagoon, and the beach could be developed for the benefit of the people.

The MCE noted that development of the region, would not be achieved without active participation of the chiefs, and called on the traditional authorities to help in the development efforts of the region, which he noted was crucial to ensure a brighter future for the youth.

Mr. Ahiabor however expressed concern about sand-wining activities, along the beaches, and the sea defense wall area, and cautioned those engaged in such activities, to refrain from it since it was not in the interest of the larger community.

The MCE stressed the importance of the chiefs and people to uniting, as he observed that peace was a prerequisite for development, and promised that the government, through the Assembly, would continue to play its role, saying the community needed to complement such development efforts.

The Chief of Alakple, Togbui Kporku II, observed that the region had all that it needed to develop, but the major problem confronting it, was that of leadership that would harness the numerous resources to enhance the living standards of the people.

Togbui Kporku pointed out that chiefs equally have important roles to play, noting that the era when chiefs were interested in war was over. They now have the responsibility of fighting poverty, deprivation and ignorance.

The week-long celebration had social activities like a quiz competition among schools, beach soccer, boat-racing on the lagoon and a food bazaar to revive recreational activities in the area.