WESTERN REGIONAL MINISTER OPENS ARMY COLLEGE TOUR OF REGION
Students of the Junior Division of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Course 79 have on Monday, April 3 paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, as they commence a 20-day environmental study tour of the Region. “
The tour which is aimed at enhancing study in specific areas is themed, “Promoting Socio-Economic Development in the Western Region for Accelerated Sustainable Development”. The areas of study as selected in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and the Office of the President, including an assessment of the current measures adopted to curb the ‘Galamsey’ menace, the measures to resolve chieftaincy disputes, assessment of the WRCC’s measures to improve sanitation, vis a vis the E-Tankas mobile app and the possibility of adopting it nationwide. Other areas include child prostitution and the regional coordinating council’s intervention to stop it as well as the state’s rapid bus transport system to solve public transport issues and the way forward.
In a welcome address at the opening ceremony, Western Regional Minister who doubles as MP for Takoradi expressed delight at the choice of the Western Region for the feasibility studies with the view of identifying problem areas and recommending solutions.
The Regional Minister took the opportunity to tout the important role that the region plays in national economy outlining in some detail in percentages the resources it contributes. Cocoa, more than 50%, Rubber, 98%, Coconut 85%, Oil Palm, 38%, Cassava, in excess of 1.4 million tons per annum. Gold, 60%, Manganese, 100%, Iron & Diamonds in high quantities. He explained that most of these resources are either being exploited or have a high potential for exploitation.
Hon. Darko- Mensah underscored that it will require great cooperation for the region to save its environment.
“Our meeting today is guided by a collective recognition of the need to protect our environment and natural resources. Cooperation and partnership are essential to addressing our environmental challenges, that will promote socio-economic development in the region for accelerated sustainable growth.”
He emphasized that some of the major challenges faced by the region include illegal mining (galamsey) and chieftaincy disputes. He urged the students and faculty to undertake stimulating research to create a paradigm creating sustainable development, especially in these areas.
The team and students were led by Brigadier General Albert Kwadwo Dawohoso, Assistant Commandant, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, (Junior Division). The student body totals 64, including 8 Nigerians and 1 Gambian. The tour will expire on April 23.
-Information Services Department