General News of Thursday, 19 April 2007

Source: Statesman

Moves to modernise Okyeman underway

A series of activities were organised in Kyebi and its surrounding towns in the Eastern Region during the Easter festivities to help ginger the spirit of Okyeman and move it further forward on the development march.

One of these activities, a collaboration between Fiifi Ofori Atta, a native of Adadientem, Apampam and Ahinieasi in the Abuakwa Constituencies and the "Asempa Na Eye" Fun Club helped to raise ¢20 million to be used to rehabilitate places of convenience and reinstall street lights in the towns.

The amount forms part of a projected ¢500 million expected to be raised privately to help in infrastructural development of towns in the Abuakwa state. The initiative also forms part of a move to create awareness on the challenges confronting Okyeman.

The youth of Okyeman, led by Ernest Nimako and Fiifi Dankwa, also donated some roofing sheets and 5 bags of cement to re-roof the Adadientem public toilet and the completion of the town's funeral grounds. They also donated 10 bags of cement to facilitate the construction of the Apapam clinic.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of the Abuakwa State in an address to mark the events, which were under his auspices, congratulated the youth of Okyeman for their efforts to improve the conditions of their towns. This initiative would go a long way to improve sanitation and encourage unity and togetherness among the people of Akyem Abuakwa, he noted.

He called on all Abuakwa citizens abroad to consider visiting their native land at least once in a year and contribute towards its development. There was also a sod cutting ceremony to commence the construction of a skills centre at old Asikam by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South constituency. The centre, when completed will train the youth in batik tie and dye, hair dressing and sewing.