Regional News of Friday, 30 May 2008

Source: GNA

People of Yaakrom appeals for electricity

Yaakrom (B/A), May 30, GNA- The Chiefs and Opinion leaders of Yaakrom, a farming community in the Dormaa Municipality have appealed through their Municipal Assembly to government to as a matter of necessity, reconnect the town to the national electricity grid. A two-paged press release adopted after meeting at Yaakrom and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said electricity was extended to the town in December, 1997, and that a bushfire with unknown sources burnt down 44 of the high tension poles linking Yaakrom to Dormaa-Ahenkro culminating in their "sudden return to darkness".

The release, which was signed by Nana Kwasi Kontor, a Chief of the town, Mr Oppong Francis, the assemblyman and other opinion leaders, further stated that the disaster has resulted in an abrupt end to economic activities, triggered by the absence of electricity and outlying the villages.

It said apart from the loss of information, entertainment and educational programmes, the problem has also imposed on the community criminal activities, which the people felt was almost eradicated with the advent of light in the town.

The statement underscored the unprecedented relief that electricity brought to farmers, especially poultry tenders, and wished that something could be done to immediately restore electricity and bring back life to the industry.

It appealed to the government in general and the Energy Ministry in particular to consider the plight of Yaakrom and make the necessary replacement to restore light to the town.