The suggestion was articulated during a courtesy visit by the chief to the Osudoku Council
Correspondence from Eastern Region
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shai Osudoku in the Greater Accra Region is advocating for the establishment of an agricultural university to bolster agribusiness in the region.
Recognising the pivotal role that agricultural institutions play in cultivating the next generation of farmers and agribusiness professionals, Ignatius Godfred Dodoe’s proposal is anticipated to serve a vital function in developing skilled human resources for the agricultural sector while promoting sustainable farming practices within the Osudoku area.
This suggestion was articulated during a courtesy visit by the Assembly Chief to the Osudoku Traditional Council in Osuwem, where he sought the support of the chiefs throughout his tenure in office.
Should this initiative be successfully implemented, it would provide advanced training and research opportunities in agriculture, thus contributing significantly to the sector’s growth and development in the region.
“I firmly believe we require an agricultural university here,” he conveyed to the chiefs.
“Our land is fertile for an array of crops, including bananas, mangoes, maize, tomatoes, and peppers.”
Speaking to the media after the engagement, he said, “We are fundamentally an agrarian economy; approximately 80% of our populace engages in agriculture.
”Many households are involved in farming, and we are home to the largest banana plantation [in the country], along with fish farms and rice farms spanning over 4,000 hectares of cultivated land.
“Therefore, we firmly believe that we possess the potential to establish an agricultural university here,” he articulated, adding that there are already ample practical activities and facilities to substantiate such an initiative
He implored the chiefs to allocate land to facilitate the establishment of the university. To further enhance agricultural production, he requested the chiefs to provide a suitable parcel of land for the establishment of a farm mechanization center, where farmers could access machinery services at a relatively economical cost.
In a bid to support the endeavors of the traditional council, Godfred Dodoe pledged to allocate quarterly funds to the Osudoku Traditional Council to assist in its developmental initiatives.
He emphasized that his actions align with President John Mahama’s vision of integrating traditional leadership into governance, underscoring his office’s commitment to collaborating with the Osudoku paramountcy to ensure regional development.
He lamented the deplorable state of the roads in Shai Osudoku, assuring that his leadership would diligently address these concerns.
Godfred Dodoe expressed his dismay regarding the decline of local languages in the country, particularly the Dangme language.“Our Dangme language is facing the threat of extinction; many educational institutions prioritize the Twi language and others,” he lamented, adding that numerous Dangme speakers feel a sense of embarrassment when conversing in their native tongue.
He proposed the institution of a Dangme Language Day within the district, where the language would be utilized both officially and unofficially, asserting that residents in the area must also prioritize learning the language.
To promote the speaking and learning of Dangme and ensure its preservation, the DCE mentioned plans to establish a district scholarship fund to support students who choose to study the language at colleges of education.
As part of efforts to enhance health accessibility in the region, the Assembly Chief assured the chiefs that measures would be taken to establish a hospital, alleviating the necessity for residents to travel to the district hospital in Dodowa for medical care.
The Paramount Chief of the Osudoku Traditional Area, Nene Kweku-Otiti Animle VIII, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the traditional council to the DCE, promising their unwavering support for his administration.
However, he lamented the deplorable road network in the community and urged the Assembly Chief to assist in rehabilitating the roads to provide relief to the populace.
The chief urged the local Assembly to prioritize the promotion and harnessing of the area’s tourism potential, noting that a survey conducted on the mountains indicated their suitability for development, including activities such as paragliding.
He encouraged the DCE to regard the traditional council as his council of elders, emphasizing that their doors would always remain open for consultation and guidance.
Ignatius Dodoe further advised the DCE to eschew personal gain in favor of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the community.
Another pressing issue raised by the chief was sanitation and also called for effective representation of the Osudoku Traditional Council at the Assembly.
Nene Animle commended the DCE for his proposal to establish a Dangme Day, assuring him that the traditional council would duly consider the initiative.
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