Beaches at Tema to be developed

Aflao, Nov. 18, GNA - Nii Adjei Kraku II, Chief of Tema, has initiated a programme to develop Ghana's coastline into a profitable venture towards sustainable development of the country.

The programme is to address problems of pollution and degradation along Ghana's beaches from Keta to Axim, promote development of structures and facilities not only to boost tourism, but generate foreign exchange and create jobs for the youth.

To implement the programme, Nii Kraku had embarked on a trip to coastal towns beginning with Aflao to introduce the project to the chiefs and people to focus on awareness creation and sensitisation to partner them and the District Assemblies.

He noted that in the past the beaches had been misused and under-utilized, serving as grounds for defecation and dumping of refuse endangering the environment and immense revenue potential. Nii Krakue said under the programme a project dubbed "Projecting Ghana's Shoreline" to construct sanitary facilities along the coast to stop the in-sanitary conditions.

He said the project is being undertaken jointly with a Non-governmental organisation (NGO)"City 2000 Youth Action International" to implement it.

Nii Krakue is the Chairman of the NGO with Mr Rudolf F. Hans-Jorie as President, Mr Alexius Allen Quashie, Director of Operations and Mr Leslie Blankson as Administrator.

The Chief of Tema said the coastline from Tema Manhean to Chorkor in Accra would be used as a pilot scheme for the first phase of the project expected to commence next year.

Under the first phase a 40, 10-seater Enviro Loo, a non-flush dry sanitation system would be constructed along the coast at an estimated cost of 7.2 billion cedis.

Nii Krakue said stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and Science and Environment had pledged their support for the project, which was in line with the Government's vision to modernise the Capital City.

At Aflao, Torbgui Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao Traditional Area and Dogbe Naudokutsu III, Divisional Chief of Afekotuime-Denu expressed appreciation for the project and pledged their support since it was in the interest of the nation.

Torbgui Fiti said they shared common idea for the project because a citizen from Aflao resident in the United States of America had also declared his intention to embark on project to develop the coast of Aflao. He was particularly enthused that towns within Ghana venture into partnerships to undertake development projects.