Accra, April 28, GNA - The Coalition for Peace and Development in Buem (COPADIP), has called for the revamping of the cocoa industry in the Jasikan District, which used to be a vibrant economic venture in the Volta Region. Mr. Isaka Buraima, President of COPADIP, said rejuvenation of the industry would provide job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth and draw attention to the area as a cocoa growing area. He made the call at the Buem Mini Congress 2010, organised in Accra on the theme: "Revamping the Cocoa Industry in Buem". Mr. Buraima said: "We now want to move into real development of Buem and we are asking the youth to rehabilitate abandoned cocoa farms and cultivate new ones."

He appealed to Agriculture Extension Officers to educate farmers in the area on modern agricultural practices to boost food production. Mr. Buraima said COPADIP has donated cement towards the construction of classroom blocks at Old Baika and New Baika and expansion works at Father Dogli Memorial Institute, a vocational training school, at Ayoma. The organization has also rewarded hardworking teachers in the district.

Mr. Henry Ford Kamel, Deputy Minister of Lands and Forestry, commended feuding chiefs of Buem for smoking the peace pipe, adding that the Buem Traditional Council would meet on May 7 to start the process of addressing all outstanding issues.

The Deputy Minister, who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Buem, said about 100 acres of land had been acquired in Baika for the cultivation of all-year round vegetables. Mr. Kamel pledged 500 bags of cement through the MP's share of the Common Fund for the rehabilitation of the traditional council building. Nana Barima Kumessy Bonsu 11, District Chief Executive of Jasikan, appealed to the people in the area to support the forthcoming national population census. He said 309 acres of land has been secured for an afforestation project to offer employment for the youth in the area. 28 April 10 Attention recipients, item 02 ends first cast.