Saltpond, Oct. 13, GNA - A ground breaking ceremony was performed last Friday at Saltpond to mark the start of a Tourist Reception Facility with an amphitheatre and a fountain attached. The Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations is funding the reception facility that is estimated at GHc400, 000. Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, is financing the amphitheatre and the fountain estimated at GHc65, 000 from his own resources with support from friends and relatives.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng, the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, said the projects, which are expected to be completed within six months, are in appreciation of the role the people of Saltpond played in promoting democracy in the country. He recalled the roles they played in the formation of both the United Gold Coast convention (UGCC) and the Convention People Party and said "It is fitting that a place be created in the town for tourists and Ghanaians who want to know more about the political history of the country can go and access the information," he said.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said the town lacked a recreational centre therefore the amphitheatre would serve as a meeting place and also a place where workers could go and socialise after a day's hard work. The MP said he had delivered on the promises he made during the electioneering campaign in 2004.

"Water, electricity, education and job creation are the pillars of my manifesto in 2004 and I am happy to announce that I have accomplished them except the job creation which is yet to be satisfactorily done." He said the defunct Saltpond Ceramics, which he wanted to reactivate, could not be done due to unreliable power supply that the country faced last year even though some investors had expressed interest.

He said education facilities had been improved and expanded whilst many needy students were supported to further their education. He said water and electricity problems had been solved with the rehabilitation of the Baifikrom waterworks, the replacement of the old and weak electric cables and provision of new transformers. Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said elections were for development therefore the electorate must take into account people who had vision for development before casting their votes. Mr. Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, spoke about the achievements of the government in the municipality and appealed to the electorate to give it another chance.