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,
include 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 for 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
detailing 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 has a high
potential of exploitation.
Hon. Darko- Mensah underscored that it will require
great cooperation for the region to be 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 region include illegal mining (galamsey) and chieftaincy disputes. He urged
the students and faculty undertake stimulating research to create a paradigm in
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 April 23.
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