Nii Adjei Kraku II,Tema Mantse, has called for the activation of the Tema Development Fund to help raise the standard of living among the people of Tema.

According to him, the fund, which was to be fed by the contributions of businesses and industries in Tema, has become dormant and almost forgotten.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of the Tema Kpelejoo Festival, the Paramount Chief said Tema and its industries were built at the expense of the people's land, lives and spirituality but it seems the sacrifice has been in vain.

"Poverty is everywhere because the farmlands are gone. Big trawlers do not allow canoe fisherman to get their due at sea and sadly, the factories have polluted all streams and the Chemu Lagoon."

He said the low level of education among the people has turned the area into a labourer- labour pool with very few in managerial positions.

According to him, if an active development fund was in place, children would be supported through school to build a formidable human resource base.

"A highly skilled labour force will not only play an active part in the manning of the industries but adopt and devise technologies to complement the activities of established industries."

He called for dialogue among the major players in the Metropolis to see how best to help the people of Tema.