George Krobea Asante
Full Text: Krobea Asante’s speech @ 66th Independence Day
ADDRESS BY HON. GEORGE KROBEA ASANTE, ASSEMBLY MEMBER FOR AKOASE, AHENBRONUM ELECTORAL AREA IN THE BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY DURING THE 66TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT AKOASE METHODIST SCHOOL PARK ON MONDAY, 6TH MARCH, 2023
- NANA CHAIRMAN
- MY COLLEAGUE HON. ASSEMBLY MEMBER
- THE CLERGY AND IMAMS
- HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
- SECURITY PERSONNEL
- HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS
- SCHOOL CHILDREN
- PARADE CONTINGENTS
- THE MEDIA
Introduction
Good morning and Happy Independence Day to us all. Sixty-six years (66) years ago, Ghana our motherland gained independence from colonialism in 1957. Therefore, there is the need to thank the Almighty God for his grace and mercies upon our nation.
Nana Chairman, I will proudly say, Ghana was the first African nation in sub-Sahara to gain independence from the colonial masters due to the sweat and toil of some great leaders. On this special day, it is appropriate to acknowledge and appreciate the likes of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, William Ofori-Atta. J.B. Dankwa, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei and Emmanuel Obetsebi Lamptey who are popularly known as the Big 6 for their bravery towards the independence movement. Again, I salute our school children, teachers and security personnel who have over the years been an integral part of this great celebration.
The Theme for The Occasion
Mr Chairman, the theme for the 66th Independence Anniversary Celebration is “Our Unity: Our Strength: Our Purpose”. The agenda of this theme is a quest to see ourselves as one people with the purpose of promoting unity among ourselves in building a strong nation that we will all be proud of. It is said that “Unity is strength” so it is through unity that the strength of people can be gathered to work for the development of the country.
Education
The Chair, with regards to our education system, the Assembly supported the Education Directorate with the organization of mock examinations for the final year students in the District. Also, to enhance teaching and learning in the District, the Assembly distributed 200 dual desks to some primary schools. Plans are far advanced to provide more furniture to other schools as well.
2021 BECE and WASSCE Performance
The District’s performance in the 2021 BECE showed some improvement over the past years with a pass rate of 82% out of a total of 1727 candidates who sat for the exams. What was quite worrying is the fact that, per the data received, 15 young girls were pregnant before the exams, Even though this number indicates some reduction as compared with the previous year, it is still not the best. As parents and stakeholders, we need to work together to protect our young ones.
The WASSCE results for the same year, however, were not encouraging with a pass rate of 48%.
School Infrastructures
Mr Chairman, as the Assemblyman for the community, I have managed to lobby to approve for the construction of the following classroom blocks in the under listed schools;
- Construction of classroom block for Akoase R/C school
- Construction of classroom block for Akoase Experimental school
- Construction of classroom block for Akoase Presby school
Nana Chairman, it is important for teachers and parents to work extremely hard to ensure their wards in Senior High School take advantage of the Free SHS policy and excel in school for a better future and the development of the country at large. Let us continue to support our children and students in the rural areas.
Nana Chairman, in the social sector, the Assembly has registered 894 Persons Living With Disability in the District. Out of this number, 848 had been enrolled unto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to access free health care. Additionally, 184 persons has been supported with start -up kits, medical support, Assistive devices, Educational support and Apprenticeship training programmes amounting to GHS 175,065.00.
It is equally important to commend the government initiative to support the poor and vulnerable in our communities. With regards to the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP), the programme is presently catering for 120 households in the district while 641 beneficiaries from these households are registered under NHIS.
Developmental Projects
Mr. Chairman, the Assembly is undertaking a number of developmental projects to enhance the living standards of the people in the District. Currently, the following projects are underway in the District:
- Construction of 1. No. 64 lockable stores in New Abirem
- Construction of 1. No. 16 lockable stores (phase one) at Akyem Afosu,
- Completion of Akoase Health Center
- Completion of Pankese Health Center
- Construction of market stall at Nkwarteng
- Rehabilitation of 1 No. 6 Unit classroom block at Amuana Praso,
- Construction of 1No.CHPs compound at Mpintimpi
- Construction of Police Residence at Akoase
- Completion of Akoase town roads
Agriculture
Mr. Chairman, the Assembly continues to make strides in the different aspect of Agriculture. Over the last 12 months, the District has distributed 256,221 oil palm seedlings to farmers in different communities across the District under the government flagship “Planting for Export and Rural Development” (PERD) program. It is important to also mention that, out of the 2,017 beneficiary farmers, 601 are women which indicate the progress of the participation and involvement of women in the Agric sector. On behalf of the District, I wish to thank the Minerals Commission and the Minerals Development Fund for their tremendous support in that regard.
Additionally, through the support of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) a total of 3,500 coconut seedlings have been distributed to the 3 Senior High Schools and 67 basic schools across the District.
Mr Chairman, in terms of Local Economic Development (LED), the Assembly through the Agric department is offering technical support to farmer groups in the communities to be able to add value to their produce. In addition, training of fortification of processed gari is being carried out at Ntronang, Tenkyemso and others.
Security
Ladies and Gentlemen, security in the District remains calm with the District Security Council (DISEC) very proactive in dealing with security related issues. The DISEC has put in place some measures such as mounting night snap checks at various hotspots, intensifying night patrols, among others, to improve security especially in the wake of the killings of some women in Abirem last year. The DISEC also collaborates with Newmont in handling concerns of aggrieved youth and farmers to ensure that the frequent demonstrations are minimized.
I would also laud the leadership of Akoase Development Association and their members as well as the good people of Akoase for such a bold decision to facilitate the construction of three-bedroom apartment for the officer in charge of Akoase police station since accommodation was identified as his major challenge. The project is currently about 75% complete and it is expected to be completed soon.
Mr Chairman, the fight against illegal mining (Galamsey) is still in force and would require collective effort of all stakeholders to clamp down on these activities in our District. The President has made efforts to rid the country of the Galamsey menace and to further intensify these efforts, he has through, the Ministry of Local Government, directed all MMDAs to register all excavators and Earth moving machines within their jurisdiction to determine the purpose for which such equipment were brought into the Districts. The Birim North District Assembly has, so far, registered a number of this equipment and will like to use this opportunity to encourage the public to inform owners of such equipment to report to the Assembly for registration.
District Level Elections
Nana Chairman, I will use this opportunity to inform all and sundry of the upcoming District Level elections of Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members for the various Electoral areas and communities. I, therefore, urge all residents to be involved in order to elect competent and dedicated leaders to constitute the next Assembly. Every member of our community who is 18 years and above and with a sound mind is encouraged to register and vote.
Health
The Assembly through the efforts of the hardworking Assembly members you elected intend to construct two nurses’ quarters for the newly constructed health center which is ready to be commissioned soon.
The Akoase health now has a resident Physician Assistant who is in charge of the health center.
Conclusion
I want to thank everybody for your support for a successful celebration of the 66th Independence Day Celebration.
Thank you. Happy Independence Day to you all.
God bless us all.
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