SOUTHERN VOLTA DEVELOPMENT FORUM (SVDF) HOLDS SUCCESSFUL DELIBERATIONS IN ACCRA

ACCRA MAY, 20, 2011 - The Southern Volta Development Forum, a non-governmental organization committed to the improvement of the economic potential of the Southern Volta Basin and the Volta Region as a whole, has successfully organized a day's forum to discuss at full length, the need for immediate private sector and governmental intervention in the area.

The Member of Parliament for Anlo and Minister of Youth and Sports Clement Kofi Humado who delivered a keynote address on the concept and plans being put in place for the establishment of a Southern Volta Basin Development Authority (SVBDA),

tasked stakeholders to make full use of the goodwill the area currently enjoys, adding that given the enormous support the area is getting from the government of the day, it was only wise that they reciprocate the gesture by working collectively towards one common good.

The honourable minister who was instrumental in the organization of the forum said the area has favourable climatic and economic conditions such as large water bodies, which he said puts it in an advantageous position for economic growth.

“The area possesses such enormous growth and development potentials which, if well harnessed will in no small measure uplift the fortunes of our dear nation, Ghana.”

Mr. Humado who was grateful to the large list of volunteers that kick started preparations for the forum and said “in the process of organizing this forum, the planning committee became aware of a number of similar efforts made in the past by some concerned and eminent citizens. At the level of Southern Volta, we are informed that some eminent citizens of the area had in the past undertaken information gathering on the area. Some names mentioned were Torgbui Kporku 111, Dr. Ferdinand Tay, Hon. Victor Gbeho and Mr. Paul Kumaho. We also became aware that the districts in the Southern Volta have been attempting to organize such as a forum with similar objectives. Our objective now is to rekindle interest in all these antecedents, bring them together, rebrand the initiatives and chart a common effort at developing the area”.

Dr. Ferdinand Tay of the National Development Planning Commission who delivered a paper on “the merit and roadmap for establishing a special planning area for the development of the Southern Volta” also added his voice for the minister's call for making use of the region's goodwill, adding that the area is among the very few that gets attention from almost all of government's policy documents, and it would be awkward to see its people not take advantage of the hope reposed in them.

He lauded the government for the enormous support given the region so far, adding that the move is unprecedented.

The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin said the government is committed to the development of a zonal authority that would be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth transition of the Southern Volta into an overnight economic hub.

His outfit he said will continue to avail itself to interest groups working for the general good of the region and applauded the Southern Volta Development Forum and its partners for the initiative.

A representative of the Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. Kofi Larbi lauded the efforts of the organizers and said government was working hard at improving the infrastructure of the area.

He however said there would be the need for stakeholders to jointly strategize for the most workable way forward, adding that his ministry will continue to encourage local and foreign-investor participation in the area.

The forum among other interests deliberated on how to maximize and explore to full use, the economic viability of the area and how it can be used to improve the local economy, create jobs, reduce poverty and stem the increasingly rural-urban drift of the youth to the nation's capital, Accra.

Topics discussed hinged on oil and mineral exploration, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, rural-urban drift and the industrial potentials of the region.

According to the organizers, the forum became necessary since the area comprising six administrative districts - the Keta Municipality, Ketu South and North District, Akatsi District and the Tongu Districts - are 'gold mines' waiting to be explored.

The Southern Volta Development Authority as it is now, is a concept which when implemented, will establish an executive authority in the Lower Volta Basin area to make use of the economic resources including but not limited to the salt water from the Keta Lagoon for the production of salt, livestock farming, rice and sugar cane large scale production as well as fish farming.

The forum was held under the theme “Economic and Business Potentials of the Southern Volta Basin”.

The SVDA has hinted that elections to elect officers to lead the group would be held during its second forum.