Regional News of Thursday, 11 January 2018

Source: ghananewsagency.org

Breman Asikuma Traditional Council adopts five-year Strategic Development Plan

Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, Paramount Chief Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, Paramount Chief

A five-year Medium Term Strategic Development Plan has been developed by the Chiefs and people of Breman Traditional Area in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa (AOB) District of the Central Region.

The move formed part of efforts by the Traditional Council to complement that of the Central Government to improve the socio-economic well-being of people living in the area.

The Strategic Plan is an outcome of discussions among key stakeholders in the area and has six specific achievable goals with emphasise on how resources could be garnered for the successful implementation of the Plan.

It was born out of the commitment of the Omanhene, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII to lead in the promotion of citizens’ responsibility to the community.

The fifteen - page document, proposed and drafted by the Breman Development Committee (BDC), has six main goals that are geared towards Youth Development, Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Tourism and Resource Development.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a Traditional Council meeting to adopt the Strategic Plan, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, Paramount Chief of the area, said the people of Breman were justifiably happy for the relative peace in the area but were also worried about the lack of development in the area.

He said the development of programs to enhance entrepreneurial and career skills of the youth and the need to identify and attract potential domestic and foreign investors would remain priorities in the quest to reduce unemployment in the area.

He mentioned that the replanting of aging cocoa farms in the area could be a quick win that could improve revenue of cocoa farmers, whilst the identification, growth and processing of other economically viable plants were being pursued.

Tourism opportunities and targeted sites will be given due attention. He said a comprehensive database of citizens in the area will be developed to aid resource development.

According to the 2010 population and housing census, the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District has an estimated population of about 112,706 with an average growth rate of 2.3 percent.

The Omanhene believed that by aligning the goals of the Strategic Plan with that of the Central Government there would be synergies that would in the end improve the development of the area.

He was optimistic that the Strategic Plan would achieve its intended objective if it received maximum support from the Chiefs, the District Assembly, Opinion leaders and the entire community.

He called on all and sundry to help facilitate the effective implementation of the Strategic Plan, adding that, giving to one’s society was no longer an option, but a responsibility.

He appealed to his people to combine spirit, mind, soul and strength to raise the flag of Bremanman high.