Gov't to promote Ghana via Volta region -Veep

The government is to undertake massive rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Volta Region to enable it to play a leading role in promoting Ghana to the outside world.

Vice President Aliu Mahama, who announced, this on Sunday, at the Dawurokese Festival at Kadjebi, said the government would take advantage of the strategic position of the region and develop it to play a leading role in the 'Golden Age of Business.'

"...Plans have been concluded for the smooth take off of a project that will make it possible for Kadjebi and other districts in the region to have three-phase electricity power supply to pave the way for the establishment of more rural and cottage industries," he said.

A number of major trunk roads in the region would be rehabilitated by 2004, he said, adding that, a contract would soon be awarded for the extension of telephone lines from Hohoe to Kadjebi.

He said the telephone expansion project in the country would also cover other districts in region.

The Geological Survey Department, Alhaji Mahama said, would be tasked to undertake a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of clay and mineral deposits in the Kadjebi district to inform investors, who would be encouraged to use the raw materials to set up industries.

He announced that a lot of development projects would begin next year, therefore, he said, it is important for districts to mobilise their youth and prepare them to undertake the jobs.

"You will need artisans, masons, carpenters, painters... every district will be busy with their own projects and will not be able to spare their labour, whether skilled or unskilled," he said.

The Kadjebi district, located in the northern part of Volta Region, is about 220 kilometres from Accra. The people of Kadjebi are Akans who migrated from various part of the country about 300 years ago, to settle in their present area, mostly forest and mountainous territory.

The people, who are mainly farmers of food and cash crops, celebrate the Dawurokese (big gong gong) Festival to commemorate their victory over the pollution of their lone stream by their adversaries, which had led to the outbreak of an epidemic.

History has it that, at the time of the epidemic, the then chief, Akompi, in consultation with an oracle, was said to have caused a big gong gong to be made, which was believed to have mesmerised and demoralised the enemy.

Spiritual and physical cleansing was also carried out, following, which an annual sweeping ritual was undertaken by the women to drive away sickness. This year, the festival was observed under the theme: "Our Forests and Streams, Our Children must be Inheritors not Survivors."

Alhaji Mahama commended Ogyeabour Akompi Finam II, Omanhene of Kadjebi Traditional Area for organising the festival, which, for lack of funds, had been celebrated twice since its revival in 1996.

He said festivals provided the platform for planning progress and advised the people to infuse new ideas and concepts into the festival to make it relevant and dynamic.

"A social institution whose celebration does not impact on the problems of the community becomes a liability and charts a course for its own destruction," he said.

Alhaji Mahama explained the government's policies on education, environmental protection and HIPC, saying that, "the benefits of HIPC, which included debts cancellation, would be evident from next year.