Ateiku (W/R), March 18, GNA- The Produce Buying Company (PBC) Limited has presented a cheque for five million cedis to the chiefs and people of Wassa Ateiku to support their self-help electrification project.

Mr Stephen Agyeman, Deputy Central Regional Manager of the Company who made the presentation said the amount formed part of the company's social responsibility to assist people in the cocoa-growing areas. He noted that administratively, Wassa Ateiku falls under the Central Region, instead of Western Region, but it plays a major role in the production of cocoa in the country.

Mr Agyeman who was accompanied by Mr Andrew Antwi- Boasiako, Central Regional Accountant of the Company said the PBC management accepted the request because of the co-operation between the chiefs and people of the town.

He urged the youth and chiefs to maintain the prevailing peace and stability, adding that PBC will continue to offer financial and material support towards the completion of the project. The Deputy Manager appealed to the chiefs and people of Ateiku to sell their cocoa beans to PBC since it is a credible and reputable organization in the cocoa industry.

Mr Agyeman assured cocoa farmers in the area that consultations had been made with the Lower Denkyira District Assembly at Twifo Praso to resolve problems associated with the mass cocoa-spraying exercise last year so as to increase their yields. Nana Kweku Gyapong, Chief of Mampong who received the cheque on behalf of Nana Kwamina Damoah II, Divisional Chief of Wassa Mampong, thanked the company for its gesture.

He appealed to PBC to re-open a cocoa depot at Ateiku into a full district office to enable farmers to sell their cocoa beans to the company.

Nana Gyapong said the youth raised 17 million cedis at the recent fund-raising harvest, adding that the money had been deposited at the Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly for the purchase of electricity poles.

He noted that the self-help electrification project showed that about 250 wooden poles would be needed for the project. Nana Gyapong appealed to the citizens of Ateiku resident outside to come home and assist in the provision of amenities for the town.