Regional News of Sunday, 19 July 2009

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Kufuor appointed Acting CEO of Volta Region Development Agency

At its first meeting in Accra on 16th July 2009, the Board of Volta Region Development Agency (VRDA) appointed Mr. Appiah-Danquah Kufuor, a Regeneration Expert, as the Agency’s first Acting Chief Executive Officer. The Board is delighted to have such an outstanding and experienced Development Economist as its First Acting Chief Executive Officer.

The Board is currently made up of: Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs; Nana Soglo Alloh 1V, Otekple of Likpe Traditional Area and Vice-President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs; Togbe Tepre Hodo 1V, Fiaga and President of Afoega Traditional Council; Togbi Kporku 111, Dufia of Alakple; and Mr Appiah- Danquah Kufuor. The Board also resolved to appoint the following as directors: Mamaga Akosua, also known as Cornelia von Wulfing, Ngoryifiaga of Sasadu Traditional Areas; Mr Ernest Nyagbe, a public sector management expert; and Mr Victor Chubby Larbi, a business executive.

The Acting CEO’s immediate focus will be the preparation of an aggressive fund-raising strategy to help raise the needed seed capital and additional funds for the effective implementation of the $250 million Volta Region Economic Development Plan, 2009-2014.

Mr. Kufuor, who played a pivotal role in putting together the plan, which is the first traditional authority-sponsored regional economic development plan, worked in the United Kingdom for the greater part of his adult life, and has many other firsts to his credit. He was the first Black Chairman of the North-West Association of Economic Development Officers in the UK, the first Black Principal Economic Development Officer for Middleborough Council, and the first Black Principal Regeneration Officer for Knowsley Borough Council (Merseyside), where he was heavily involved in the massive economic regeneration and development of the Merseyside economy. He also worked as an economist for the Economic Intelligence Unit at Lancashire County Council and also at Luton Council.

In implementing the development plan, the Board intends to provide an opportunity for the people of Volta Region, in particular the young people, to help set out the economic agenda and priorities through a process of “bottom-up” participatory regeneration agenda.

The Board wishes to encourage the business community, development partners and all key stakeholders to take a close look at the plans of VRDA and join in “Building the Future”.

Signed:

Nana Soglo Alloh 1V

Acting Secretary, Volta Region Development Agency

For further information contact:– 0208 152694 or 0248 709714.