Hackman assures Koforidua residents of solution to water problem soon

Koforidua, Nov. 30, GNA - The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, has assured Koforidua residents that government was negotiating for 40 million Euros to source water from the Volta Lake to the municipality as a lasting solution to their water problem.

He also appealed to land owners in the area to release land for the government to embark on a housing delivery project. Mr Owusu Agyemang who was speaking at the inauguration of KAMA Plaza at Koforidua on Tuesday, expressed hope that with the availability of sufficient water and land, the area could attract investors. The Plaza, which was inaugurated by the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng, houses a pharmacy, a shopping centre, medical laboratory, a salon, a banking facility and a conference hall capable of seating about 1,000 people.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, described the initiative, by KAMA Group Company to build the Plaza as not only adding beauty to the Koforidua landscape, but also "an act of faith in the economy of New Juaben and its potential for growth."

He said as a result of government's economic policies, the Koforidua municipality was gradually regaining its lost glory and asked the residents and citizens outside to see take up the challenge to explore and invest in the area.

Mr Barimah called on the shopping centre and the pharmacy to sell made-in-Ghana goods to encourage increased local production for economic growth and employment.

The Governor and Chief Executive of the KAMA Group, Dr Michael Agyekum Addo, a citizen of Suhyen, near Koforidua, who has businesses in Accra and Tamale, said he thought it imperative to also establish in his town "to demonstrate to all that we should not forget our roots, places that made us what we are today."

He, therefore, called on Ghanaians, especially those living in the cities, to endeavour to put their hometowns and traditional areas on a high pedestal by identifying themselves to their needs and contributing to solve them.

Last Saturday, the Came Nkrumah University of Science and Technology conferred an honorary doctorate degree in Science on Dr Addo, a pharmacist. He also received Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng's "Daasebre Award for Excellence in Social Services" two years ago. He said the KAMA Plaza was not only meant to grace the Koforidua municipality skyline but to offer employment and services for citizens of the area.

Dr Addo said his company was embarking on a pilot project to identify 20 reliable chemical shops to be guaranteed with 10-million-cedi loan each from the Merchant Bank to purchase drugs for sale at reasonable prices.

He said he had been providing teaching materials to the Suhyen primary and JSS and motivating the teachers, as well as offering scholarships to more than 20 students in secondary and tertiary institutions.

Dr Addo appealed to the Member of Parliament and the New Juaben Municipal Assembly to provide the schools with furniture and rehabilitate the roof of the JSS block as soon as possible. Daasebre Oti Boateng commended Dr Addo for his high sense of patriotism and community service, saying unlike others who would use their wealth to promote litigation, Dr Addo used his to invest in the health and development of his people.

He urged other citizens from the area to emulate him, saying a New Juaben Development Board would be inaugurated during the celebration of this year's "Akwantukese" festival.