The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Seth Terkper, has assured Ghanaians that the government is doing its best to handle the economic situation so that every area will have an equal share of its development agenda.
He said growth and prosperity would be possible if associations, groups, organisations, institutions, all other stakeholders and the citizens collaborate with the government in its holistic development agenda.
Mr Terkper gave the assurance at the 25th anniversary-cum-fundraising ceremony of the National Union of Yilo Krobo Associations (NUYA) at Somanya.
The anniversary celebration was on the theme: “25 Years of Enhancing Development in the Yilo Krobo State”.
The NUYA, which is an association of citizens of Yilo Krobo residing in various parts of Ghana, is aimed at promoting social and economic development, as well as the culture of the area.
The association has seven branches throughout the country—Accra, Tema, Koforidua, Kumasi, Akosombo, Somanya, and Ho.
The Finance and Economic Planning Minister congratulated the association on its partnership with the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly and the Yilo Krobo Traditional Council in developing the area for the past 25 years.
He observed that the government could not single-handedly provide everything the citizens needed, and the role being played by NUYA was clearly an indication of the association’s commitment to complement the government’s efforts at developing the area.
Mr Terkper noted that the government was doing its best to construct roads and schools and undertake other development activities for every area to have its fair share of the national cake.
He entreated all citizens of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area to join the association for the holistic development of the area.
The President of NUYA, Mr Peter Kutufuam, said the association, as part of its aim of improving social amenities in Yilo Krobo, constructed a KVIP latrine for the Ogome area, a suburb of Somanya.
He said the KVIP project was initially planned for all strategic areas in Yilo Krobo but land litigation had hindered the implementation of the projects.
He stated that the association, in conjunction with the Yilo Krobo Traditional Council and the municipal assembly, put up a community centre at Somanya, which is serving as the headquarters of the association and the venue for other social activities of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area.
Mr Kutufuam also mentioned the provision of a library at Somanya, an Information and Communication Technology centre for the Yilo Krobo Senior High School, a bore-hole for Klo-Agogo Senior High School and the sponsoring of an annual quiz competition for basic schools in the Yilo Krobo Municipality as the association’s educational support towards the improvement of teaching and learning in the area.
The president, on behalf of the association, appealed to the municipal assembly to negotiate with land owners for the release of land for the proposed public university for Eastern Region to be sited at Somanya.
As part of the 25th anniversary programme, the association organised a quiz competition for basic schools in eight circuits in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. Opesika Klo – Agogo and Somanya South circuits placed first, second and third respectively.
Also, a gala competition was organised for eight football teams in the area. Sawer Soccer Stars at Somanya beat Okpepiem United four goals to two on penalties in the finals. The finalists received GH¢150.00 and GH¢100.00 respectively.