Krobo Odumase, Oct 30, GNA- Twenty-eight communities in the Upper and Lower Manya Krobo and the Yilo Districts are to benefit from the Koforidua Water Project with the intake source at Oterkporlu at a total cost of GHC 2, 339,950.

The beneficiary communities are 17 in the Upper and Lower Manya districts and 11 in the Yilo Krobo districts. Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, who announced this at the annual "Ngmayem" festival of the Chiefs and People of Manya Krobo on Friday, said it was in fulfillment of the President's promise to the people in the area during his recent visit. He however reminded the people that development was a shared and collective responsibility between government and the communities, therefore the beneficiary communities must play roles expected of them in the execution of project.

The Regional Minister noted that educational standards in the Krobo area were declining, especially at the basic level. He said the District Assemblies and the education directorate are to furnish his office with a report on the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which most schools scored zero percent. "Looking at the huge budgetary allocation that goes to the educational sector; heads of schools that scored zero percent must be relieved of their position to ensure that more performing teachers took over for better results".

According to the Minister, although parents and guardians had roles to play in their wards' education, the onus and responsibility of achieving better results which lie on schools cannot be compromised. He said the area had been nominated as a beneficiary of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), which would open up the area and therefore required that its children were educated and skilled to gain employment for developments.

The Konor of the area, Nene Sackitey II, noted that Krobos were lacking behind as far as education was concern and blamed parents for showing more interest in social events such as funeral. He said for that reason, the Traditional Council had banned funeral parties and the playing of loud music after 2000 hours. Nene Sackitey said the area had a lot public and private schools and therefore could not fathom why some children were not attending school and also why they kept scoring zero percent at the BECE. He disclosed that for the past three weeks, water supply to the area had been cut yet other towns were being fed from the Kpong Water station located in the area and called on the regional minister to intervene for prompt response.

Mr. Stephen Amoanor-Kwao, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare and Member of Parliament (MP) Upper-Manya, on behalf of government donated 10 crates of assorted drinks and GHC 500 to support the festival. 30 Oct. 09