Busua(W/R), March 1, GNA - The Ahanta West District Assembly is putt= ing in place a strategic development plan to guide the use of land in the area The move is aimed at controlling the indiscriminate and haphazard development of land and to provide the basis for a systematic development i= n an eco-friendly environment. It would also contribute to opening up the area to the outside world t= o attract investors and to promote tourism. Mr Joseph Jones Amoah, the District Chief Executive, said this at a stakeholders meeting held at Busua on Monday.

He said the Korean government had committed 2.5 million dollars for work on phases one and two of the master plan for the project. The meeting afforded experts, departmental heads, traditional authorities and opinion leaders the opportunity to critically analyze and contribute their thoughts on the master plan presented by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and other partners.

Mr Amoah said the area has tourist attractions, forest reserves and rubber plantations which need development to attract investments. He said the potential for growth is real and that all the stakeholders= , traditional authorities and opinion leaders should ensure that all land developments are mutually beneficial to the area. The DCE said on completion, the five kilometre radius of the master plan would be earmarked in zones for projects like eco- tourism development= , airport, coconut, oil, and rubbers plantation zones. Mr Amoah called on more local and foreign investors to come to the are= a to help enhance its socio- economic growth. Dr Kwadk Youngton, an architect and leader of the KOICA group, assured citizens of the area of a perfect plan that would lead to the upgrading of the area into a modern city.