Toronto -- Hon. Dr. Owusu Achaw Duah, M.P for Offinso-South constituency, on Sunday, August, 12/2007, met the Ghana Offinsoman Association of Toronto,Inc. in Toronto, Canada and had an interaction with its members. This was an opportunity for the M.P to discuss issues relating to development in Ghana in general and Offinso in particular.

Hon. Dr. Duah reiterated the notion that development transcends partisan politics and should involve individuals, organizations, civil societies like their association to complement the efforts being made by the government and the chiefs of Offinso. He said together and in the spirit of team work and commitment, they all could make a difference in the socio-economic development and well-being of the people of Ghana.

Hon. Dr. Duah stressed the need for some kind of partnership, some kind of understanding and cooperation between the people at home and those abroad. He said the people in Ghana will embrace the expertise and the experience of Ghanaians abroad so that we can work together to create businesses and jobs for the marginalized, frustrated, disgruntled women and youth who have become misfits in society.

The President of the Association, Mr. Steve Wiafe Brown thanked the MP for the respect shown to them by locating them and taking some time off his private trip to visit them and have such fruitful deliberations with them concerning development in Offinso. He conveyed the association’s appreciation to the MP for his resolve to attend their general meeting at a tight schedule on short notice. He emphasized that the MP’s visit has become an “eye opener” and assured the MP that the association was prepared to assist in the development of Offinso.

George Amponsah (General Secretary) said there was the urgent need to setup skills development or vocational training centers to train the youth who do not have the opportunity to enter into high schools or lack academic aptitude (i.e. basic welding, hairdressing, plumbing, electrical, etc.)

John K. Wiafe (Financial Secretary), said the association was prepared to assist in the boosting of educational standards in the district by donating books and computer technology equipment to furnish the new library under construction at New Offinso

Samuel Okyere (Director) in his contribution said the community must respect and preserve the environment and natural resources in the district by setting up light industrial areas to accommodate mechanic, tire and welding shops, etc; promoting clean river banks and minimizing the cutting of trees. He further reiterated that there was the need to do more in the area of revenue generating activities Lawrence Okyere (Director) said there was the need to encourage the setup of micro-industries to cater for the resources that are produced in the district – for instance, basic preservation methods for the maize and tomatoes cultivated in Offinso.