<<Print>>

Okyehene, His Majesty Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has commissioned a water project by Ghana Rubber Estate Limited to two communities, Domeabra and Asikasu in the Upper West Akyem District at the cost of GH¢180,000.

As part of the company’s social responsibility in the communities it operates, the Managing Director for Ghana Rubber Estate Limited, Mr. Lionel Barre stated with assurance to the people of the communities that the company will abide by the regulations of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr. Lionel Barre again promised to offer employment to the people in the communities his company has set up to cut down the employment challenges in the country.

Speaking at the commissioning, Okyehene Amoatia Ofori Panin called on his chiefs and well meaning citizens in Okyeman to desist from engaging in vain litigations which stab the progress of Okyeman in the back.

According to him, there are many developmental projects which he (Okyehene) and other investors and companies are in talks to carry out in Okyeman but stated the projects are being hindered by court suits.

“We thank Ghana Rubber Estate Limited for providing water for these communities; good water protects lives and it is due to our effort that the company despite its branches in many regions has done this project for us.

“I will urge all the chiefs and citizens of Okyeman to stop the unnecessary litigations against projects which will benefit Okyeman; it is unnecessary to drag Okyeman backwards with court cases. People shouldn’t be adamant when they are approached to give way for development on the lands as it will benefit all of us…people have the courage to take Okyehene to court over a land which does not belong to them,” he urged.

He charged his kinsmen to stop things which will retard the progress of Okyeman; describing that anybody who stops the progress of Okyeman is not a good citizen; emphasizing that all court cases against him should be withdrawn and settle out of court.

He therefore asserted that every undeveloped town should not be entirely blamed on the chiefs but rather on the constitution which does not enforce decentralization to empower the local carry out developmental projects.

“As I keep saying, if Ghana will progress as expected, it shouldn’t be today that the people of Asikasu will get portable water to drink. We have to decentralize the system to help every town to be effective in development,” he indicated.

He bemoaned saying “we don’t have to live in cities before getting good water to drink and poverty should not stop children from accessing good education.”