CULTURAL NEWS
Monday, September 3, 2007
Government plans market complex for Cape Coast
From: SAMUEL AMOAKO & DAVID YABOI TETTEH, Cape Coast
The government is to build a modern market complex at Kotokuraba, Cape Coast in the Central Region to promote economic activity in the area.
The facility estimated to cost $4 million will be funded by the government and replace the old Kotokuraba market which is congested.
It would consist of store, banks, a-day-care-centre, clinic and insurance offices.
President J. A. Kufour announced this at a durbar held to climax the celebration of this year’s Fetu Afahye of the chiefs and people of Oguaa Traditional Area at the weekend.
This year’s celebration was on the theme: “Celebrating Cape Coast and her heroes”.
The durbar was preceded by a procession of chiefs and Asafo companies amidst drumming, dancing and firing of musketry, despite an early morning downpour.
It was attended by thousands of people including Ministers of States, Members of Parliament and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof Evans Atta Mills.
The President also announced the elevation of the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly to a Metropolitan status and stressed the government’s commitment towards the development of the country.
He recognized the contribution of Cape Coast towards education in the country as well as the fight against slavery.
He stated that the construction of Accra-Mallam-Yamoransa had helped reduce the stress of travelers on the road.
Touching on the water situation in the region, President Kufour said that the construction of the Cape Coast water works at Sekyere Hemang would help improve the water situation in the region.
He also mentioned the dredging of the Brimsu dam, expansion of Kwanyako water works, Baafikrom and the Winneba water systems as having contributed significantly at the improvement of water supply in the region.
On sports, he said the government was to build a modern stadium at Cape Coast; a project many residents claimed had been abandoned.
The delay of the project, he said, was based on recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports which visited the venue for the stadium.
The Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta 11, in his welcome address commended the government for rehabilitating the Victoria Park, now a jubilee durbar ground as well as the rehabilitation of the Accra-Cape Coast road.
He, however, was concerned about the high rates of accidents on the road and urged drivers to be more careful.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta 11 said heroes of the region were being recognized to motivate the younger generation to aspire to greater heights.
Some of the citizens honoured posthumously for their meritorious work included John Mensah Sabarh, a distinguished lawyer; Jacob Wilson-Sey, co-founder and first president of the Aborigines Rights Protection Society; Professor Charles Emmanuel Graves, a visionary educationist, social reformer and musician; Francis Ludwig Bartels, a patriot and Philip Quacoo, the first non- European to be ordained Anglican Bishop.
The rest are Osabarima Kojo Mbra, former Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area; Edward Aggrey-Fynn, first captain of the Black Stars to win the African Cup of Nations and William Essuman Gyina-Sekyi, promoter of African culture and African personality as well as the Mfantsipim School.
*Source:
The Ghanaian Times - Monday, September 3, 2007 Page: 3 |