Vakpo-Dunyo (V/R), Aug. 12, GNA - Mr Joseph Z. Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, on Tuesday, urged the Volta River Authority (VRA) to be more proactive in engaging the leadership of hosts and settler communities, for an amicable resolution of land disputes.

He said there has been raging antagonism between host landowners and resettled communities in some parts of the country and particularly the Volta region, after the construction of the Akosombo Dam in 1960.

Mr Amenowode pledged the Regional Coordinating Council's readiness and support to all endeavours, aimed at bringing lasting peace to both parties, at a symbolic inauguration of a three-unit classroom block at Vakpo-Dunyo in the Kpando district.

The projects, two three-unit classroom blocks at Vakpo-Dunyo and Aveme-Danyigba worth GHC 133,000 and the rehabilitation of two existing school facility at Botoku and Tsoxo-Duyeye valued at GHC 64,000.

The project includes a urinal, furniture, poly-tank reservoir and the provision of electricity, which was funded by the VRA Resettlement Trust Fund.

Mr Amenowode appealed to VRA to include host communities in their social responsibility projects, a gesture he believed, would reduce the antagonisms between host and settlers.

He reaffirmed government's resolve to the provision of school infrastructure and relevant teaching and learning materials, commending the VRA's gesture as a public-private partnership in development.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Kpando District Chief Executive, entreated host and settler communities to share in the painful responsibility of lost of land with dignity and respect because 93this is our contribution to the development of the country."

He commended Togbega Gbogbolulu V, Paramount chief of the Vakpo Traditional Area and Togbe Attieku III, Chief of Vakpo-Dunyo for the pursuit of peaceful co-existence, which gave birth to the project.

Mr Andrew T. Baffour, Board Chairman of VRA Resettlement Trust Fund, said the Fund was instituted to provide social welfare packages to the 52 displaced communities, after the creation of the Akosombo Dam in 1960.

He said, it had continued to provide welfare projects on the environment, public health, education, community centres and the provision of water, sanitation and electricity to the affected communities.

Mr Baffour said the Trust Fund is challenged by inadequate funding, resulting from a fixed contribution of 500,000 dollars by VRA since 1996 and called for an upward review due to the multiplicity of its responsibilities.

Mrs Benedicta Biney, acting Director-General of Ghana Education Service, commended the Trust Fund for their gesture and appealed to stakeholders to uphold a conscious culture of maintenance, to prolong the lifespan of the projects.

Ms Martha Tsuiatofe, Chairperson of the Town Development Committee, appealed to VRA and the Trust Fund to consider building teachers' quarters and establish a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy children.

Togbega Gbogbolulu, urged the Trust Fund to refurbish the Vakpo Technical Senior High School, as part of their social responsibility.

Similarly, the Trust Fund inaugurated a GHC 61,000 Kindergarten Complex at Dambai, in the Krachi East District, with furniture, a playground, dining hall, a 3-seater KVIP, urinal and a water reservoir.