Sanwoma-Ankobra (W/R), May 11, GNA - Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, on Wednesday commissioned a 40-seater fibre glass boat named "Paa Grant", for the Nzema East District Assembly at Sanwoma-Ankobra near Axim.

The boat which cost 348,320,000 cedis, will be operated by Ankobra River Transport and Tourism project, which is under the district assembly Madam Horner-Sam spoke of disasters involving the country's water transport facilities and urged managers of the boat to ensure that it is not overloaded with goods and persons.

She said the area had been denied of development projects for a long time and hoped the commissioning of the boat would mark a turning point in its socio-economic development.

The boat, according to her, should be used to promote trade, commerce and tourism and to facilitate immunization in areas difficult to reach by road.

Madam Horner-Sam appealed to the operators of the boat not to pocket proceeds to deny the Nzema East District Assembly of revenue. Mr Joshua Kwajah-Ellimah, the District Chief Executive, said the district assembly used portion of its share of the Poverty Alleviation Fund to buy the boat.

He said the district assembly had constructed two landing sites at Gwira Banso and Ajomoro Ashiem at a total cost of 200 million cedis. The assembly also intends to construct more landing sites, as well as visitors and traveller's reception centres in addition to other tourists attractions, he said.

He said the boat was named after Paa Grant, one of the most illustrious sons of Nzemaland and Ghana.