Sefwi-Essam W/R, Aug. 18, GNA - The governments of Ghana and the Netherlands have signed an agreement for the rehabilitation of the 215-kilometre Osei-Kojokrom-Sefwi-Wiaso road in the Western Region. President John Agyekum Kufuor, who announced this on Wednesday, did not disclose the contract sum but said work on the project being undertaken by Interbeton, a Dutch firm, had already begun on a 10-kilometre stretch from Osei-Kojokrom.

President Kufuor was addressing separate durbars of the chiefs and people of Sefwi-Essam, Sefwi-Asanwinso, Sefwi-Wiawso and Juabeso in the Sefwi-Wiawso and Juabeso Bea districts. He is on the third leg of his five-day official tour of the Western Region.

Reacting to an appeal by Nana Anum Baffour, Chief of Sefwi-Essam, to increase the producer price of Cocoa this year, President Kufuor said there would be no increase, rather bonus would be paid to the farmers for their hard work.

President Kufuor pledged the government's commitment to continue to serve the nation saying, "I will not let the nation down." He said political parties were institutions established for good governance and the people had the right to belong to a political party of their choice to administer and develop the country.

The chiefs on their part appealed to the government for the rehabilitation of roads in the area, the provision of a more efficient health care delivery system and the upgrading of senior secondary schools in the area.

President Kufuor continues the tour on Thursday with visits to Sefwi-Bekwai, Bibiani, Asankragua, Manso-Amenfi and Wassa-Akropong.