Nana Saforo Okoampah III, the chief of Apirede in the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region, has unveiled his plans for his people which he described as sustainable entrepreneurial skills development training in tourism and hospitality services.

The Apiredehene unveiled his plans dubbed: ‘Community Business Model (CBM)’ during a grand durbar of chiefs and people of Apirede to climax activities marking the end of their annual Odwira festival.

The chief said the CBM was introduced to help create job opportunities for the people of the community.

Nana Saforo Okoampah further explained that Apirede and its surrounding villages are heavily-endowed with a number of historic and tourists attractive sites for which the world must know.

The Apiredehene, whose 2Oth anniversary since his ascension as chief coincided with the Odwira festival, mentioned some of the sites to include the Okomfo Anokye sanctuary, the mysterious Okum Akwamu rock, the Akyeremanteng and Akaah falls and relics from ancient civilisation of the people of Akuapem.

He further mentioned that the second component of the CBM is the creation of a green park resort where residents would enjoy the every bit of a visit to the township.

Nana Okoampah was happy that such interventions would no doubt lead to job openings for the people, adding that the committee appointed for the town had already submitted its report and details of which would be put to action soon.

The chief also mentioned that work on the construction of teachers’ quarters and a state-of-the-art community ICT centre is expected to begin by the second quarter of the year.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, commended the chiefs and people of Apirede for the celebrations, assuring them of the ministry’s preparedness to support them in achieving their set vision.

She was, however, quick to advise the chief and people to avoid any temptations of selling off their lands as such practices end up killing their very initiatives.