Kufuor shames Mills: As he delivers promise to Central Region

President John Agyekum Kufuor Tuesday took a concrete step towards the fulfillment of a promise he made to the people of the Central Region, when he cut the sod for commencement of work on the Cape Coast Stadium project, thus putting his detractors to shame.

On September 1, 2007, during the Fetu Afahye of the Chiefs and people of the Oguaa Traditional Area, the President promised to build a modern stadium at Cape Coast as part of his parting gifts for the people in the Region.

While efforts were being made to deliver the promise, detractors of the Kufuor administration, including the Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Evans Atta Millis, kept expressing skepticism about the sincerity of the President s promise on various platforms.

Addressing party faithful a couple of months ago at the London Bridge in Cape Coast, Pro Mills claimed that the Kufuor administration had excluded Cape Coast from the Stadia project because it did not care for the people of the Central Region.

But President Kufuor Tuesday reminded his detractors that he had superintended over a people-centered government which would not make promises that could not be delivered.

He cited the elevation of Cape Coast into a Metropolis, the establishment of a Medical School at the University of Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Market Complex project as evidence of that his government had kept faith with the people of the Central Region.

The 25,000 capacity modern state-of-the-art-stadium, estimated to cost $25 million, is being financed by the Government of Ghana. It will be equipped with facilities for boxing, table tennis, swimming and athletics. It will be the first covered stadium in the country.

The project, which is expected to be completed within 18 months, is being executed by Pol-Mot, Holland based constructing firm.

President Kufuor noted that Cape Coast had always occupied a special place in the scheme of affairs of the nation, especially in the areas of education and sports development.

He told the enthusiastic gathering that his government s decision to build a modern stadium for each of the 10 regions in the country was in line with its avowed determination to move sports development to a higher pedestal, stressing "sports has always been a very important vehicle for the promotion of national cohesion and unity."

The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, expressed government's appreciation to all those who helped to make land available for the stadium project. He was particularly thankful to the management of the University of Cape Coast for providing 18 acres of land.

He urged the chiefs and people to co-operate with the contractor to ensure a smooth and speedy execution of the project, adding "the project is meant for our own good."

The Minister for Education, Science and Sports, Dominic Fobih, observed that the project would advance the socio-economic development of the Cape Coast Metropolis through employment generation and sports development.

The Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta I, expressed the appreciation of the Central Region to the NPP government and President Kufuor in particular.

He gave the assurance that he and his people would provide all the help required to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted execution of the project.

By slarge