Bebu (Ash), July 24, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, on Thursday inaugurated school projects and a palm-oil extraction factory in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district of Ashanti as part of his tour of the area. Nine of the 10 projects, which cost 1.224 billion cedis, were executed with moneys from the Social Investment Fund and the European Union (EU).

Mr Boafo advised the people of Asago, Ampabame Number One, New Adwampong, Brofoyedru, Adumasa, Akyeremade, Adu-Wamase and Afrancho, beneficiaries of the projects, to maintain the facilities so that they could last long.

Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Bebu, Mr Boafo called on them to initiate self-help projects to complement Government's developmental efforts.

Nana Poku Amoateng, chief of Bebu, commended the Government for providing the facilities to enhance education in the area and advised parents to invest in the education of their children.

Mr Boafo also paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Jachie, Baffour Amoateng II, who asked the Government to expedite action on the Jachie-Pramso Small Town Water Project.

The Regional Minister called on the chief of Pramso, Nana Owusu Bempa and Ogyeabour Adu-Gyamfi Poku, Chief of Kuntanase at their Palaces.

Gyeabour Poku asked Mr Boafo to remind President John Agyekum Kufuor of his promise to the people of Kuntanase last year to ensure that a secondary/technical school was built for the town to improve education in the area.

Mr Boafo also opened a block of three classrooms, an office, a store and a place of convenience at Edwenase, built by the EU at the cost of 127 million cedis.

Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Piase, where the factory was inaugurated, Mr Boafo pledged 100 bags of cement for the completion of the town's community centre project.

He also promised to provide school uniforms for some pupils he identified as needy children at the durbar.

Mr Michael Appiagyei, Assemblyman for the Piase-Edwenase Electoral Area, appealed to the Government to rehabilitate the Catholic Primary and Junior Secondary Schools which were in a deplorable states.