Cape Coast to organize open day

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly will organize open days annually to showcase the activities and programmes of the assembly to the general public. This will enable the public to have insight into what the assembly is doing and contribute their quota to the development of the metropolis. The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Anthony Egyir Aikins, who announced this at a press briefing in Cape Coast on Monday, said his office would also meet the public periodically to explain policies and programmes of the assembly to them as part of measures to deepen democracy. "I will not remain in my office alone, I will reach out to the people at the grass root to enable them understand the work of the assembly", he said, adding that he was desirous to help improve upon the general livelihood and well being of the people. Mr Aikins expressed concern about the high level of apathy, backbiting and political vindictiveness and appealed to the media to serve as agents for peace promotion and to avoid aggravating the situation with inflammatory remarks. He said the nation cannot develop in the midst of confusion and appealed to the public to stop reading politics into every situation and assist the government in its determination to propel forward the development of the metropolis and the nation at large by being law abiding and co-exist peacefully. On plans for the metropolis, Mr Aikins said much was not done last year because his office among others identified the challenges and constraints confronting the area and evolved strategies on how to solve them and that they would be tackled this year. He mentioned some of the challenges to include the relocation of the Siwdu artisans to Mpeasem near Jukwa to pave the way for the development of the banks of the Fosu Lagoon into a tourist site. Other challenges Are poverty, fallen standards of education, improper management of the environment, sanitation and low access to health by deprived communities. Mr. Aikins said loss of focus on the part of politicians contributed to the worsening of the situation and stressed that he was determined to succeed and would be objective, consistent and firm in his administration. On sourcing investment for the metropolis he said the Coca Cola Bottling Company would soon site a factory in the area to create employment and that other investors have also expressed interest in developing the coastal stretch along the castle to the Bakaano area into a tourist site. He said contract had been awarded for the construction of a bridge over the Fosu Lagoon and land had been earmarked for the metropolitan housing project. On education he gave the assurance that the 30% quota policy which is still in operation will be seriously pursued this year to ensure that students from the area gained admission into high schools in and around Cape Coast and vacation classes will be organised for pupils free of charge to improve upon their performance. On health, Mr Aikins said more attention would be given to the Community based Health Improvement Programme (CHPS) for all communities to have easy access to health care delivery. Micro-finance programmes will also be introduced to small and medium scale businesses to boost their operations and fisher folks given alternative livelihood training to support them during the lean season to help stem poverty.