Member of Parliament for Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira and Minister of State, Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku and Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Frank Okpenyen presented Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs) to all Senior High Schools in the municipality as a measure to combat the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease. They were accompanied by the Municipal Director of Education, Miss Justina Djabah, and Mr. Eric Agbo, the Acting Municipal Coordinating Director.
The items presented include 60 buckets of Veronica Buckets, 24 Thermometer Guns, 120 gallons of Liquid Soap, 120 packets of Tissue Papers, 2137 Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers and 4231 Face Masks.
The beneficiary schools were Nsein Senior High School, Axim Girls Senior High School, Gwiraman Senior High School, and Community Development Vocational/Technical Institute.
Hon. Catherine Afeku advised the students to comply with all the Covid-19 safety protocols laid out by the president in order to stay safe. She said the Covid-19 is real and no respecter of persons so it’s the responsibility of the students to wash their hands regularly with soap under running water, always wear their face masks, and observe social distancing. “Your protective gears must be used accordingly” she admonished.
She also took time to advise the students on the need to take their studies seriously and also listen and be obedient to their teachers and emphasized the fact that the only mission they had on campus: study, pass and leave.
Hon. Afeku also wished the students success in their final exit exams and commended the teachers for the sacrifices and the role in ensuring a safe environment for the students.
The MCE, Hon. Franko on his part praised H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo for implementing the free SHS policy against all odds. He advised the students to take advantage of the policy and come out with flying colors.
He also educated the students on their civil duties to register and vote in the upcoming Voter Registration Exercise to be held on June 30th.
The Municipal Director of Education, Miss Djabah was grateful to the government, MP, and the MCE for such support. She advised the students to make good use of the PPEs to stay safe on campus for their studies.
Nana Kofi Bentil who stood in for Awulae Atibrukusu III, the Omanhene of Lower Axim Traditional Area and Mrs. Theodora Appiah, Headmistress of Axim Girls Senior High School commended the government, MP, and MCE for such gesture and promised to put the PPEs into good use.
By: Obeng Darko
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency in the Western Region, Catherine Afeku has said President Akufo-Addo would cut sod for commencement of a Community Mining Programme in her area in November this year.
President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, did same at Wassa Akropong to officially launched the Community Mining Programme.
The Programme is aimed at formalizing mining in selected communities across the country.
With at least one community mine expected to be set up in each of the mining Districts in the country.
It is expected that the community mines, when executed judiciously, would provide employment for more than 4,500 miners that hitherto were engaged in illegal mining activities.
They have been trained by Government at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa in the Western Region to take up responsible mining instead of irresponsible mining as done in the past.
“This type of mining is going to replace the illegal mining popularly known as Galamsey and the proceeds from it would benefit the Districts, the communities of operation and the central government” she assured.
The youth of the Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency are in dire need of jobs, and this flagship programme is going to reduce the unemployment situation in the area.
The Programme is expected to be operational in five communities in the Constituency.
The five beneficiary communities are; Gwira Kutukrom, Gwira Banso, Gwira Eshiem, Gwira Bamianko and Gwira Tumantu.
Addressing the Chiefs of Adontihene Traditional Area of Gwira, the northern part of the Constituency in Accra, the Member of Parliament for the area who is also the Minister of State at the Office of the Senior Minister, Catherine Afeku disclosed that in November 2019, President Akufo-Addo would open the Community Mining Programme in five communities in the area.
She said the Programme would reduce growing unemployment situation in the area.
She applauded President Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise to regulate the mining industry activities to make it lucrative.
“This programme is going to make my Constituency very attractive, it is going to put money into the pockets of my teeming unemployed youth, I am very happy to announce that President Akufo-Addo in November this year will come to my Constituency, that is the Gwira area, to cut sod for commencement of the Community Mining Programme, I thank God and we are going to receive President Akufo-Addo nicely”, she stated.
She therefore seized the opportunity to urge the Chiefs to support the Programme to last longer.
She also called on them to remember President Akufo-Addo in 2020 by voting massively for him as President and herself as the MP to develop the area.
Deplorable Road Network
Meanwhile, as the Member of Parliament, Catherine Afeku, has assured the Chiefs that very soon, a contractor assigned to construct a 34-km road from Gwira Aiyinasi to Gwira Wiawso would begin work on it and therefore appealed to them to exercise patience.
She admitted that the road network in the area was in a very deplorable state.
She said since 1974 no government has ever made any attempt to construct the road.
She, therefore, commended President Akufo-Addo-led government for cutting sod to construct the road in July 2019.
She disclosed to the Chiefs why the construction was delayed. She said government was yet to complete the procurement process.
She added that she was working hard to get the contractor to be on-site before arrival of the President in November.
On his part, the Chief of Adontihene Traditional Area, Nana Paley V, thanked the MP for the wonderful reception offered them.
He said this was the first time a sitting Member of Parliament for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency invited Gwira Chiefs to Accra to fight for developmental projects.
The Chiefs pledged their total commitment to rally behind the Community Mining Programme.
He said the Programme was going to change their standard of living positively.
He said the land for the programme was ready waiting for the President to perform the sod-cutting ceremony.
On the road, the Chief appealed to government to expedite action on it. He said the project has been delaying unduly.
He said if the government was able to construct the road for them, they would openly campaign for the government in 2020 general elections.
He also used the opportunity to commend Catherine Afeku for lobbying to connect most of the Communities in the Gwira area with electricity.
“Through the help of Catherine Afeku, today we can use mobile phones because through her, we have telecommunication networks, she has also provided sheds for us, we thank her and encourage her to do more”, he concluded.
The immediate past Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister, now a Minister of State at the Office of Senior Minister, Catherine Afeku, has been adjudged second best performing Minister in Akufo-Addo-government for the year 2019.
A survey conducted by the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) and released on Wednesday, said Catherine Afeku had the second marks in its 2019 Ministerial Performance Tracking Report.
Speaking to the media, the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mr. Ernest Thompson, stated why she was ranked second best Performing Minister.
“Catherine Afeku. Her passion for tourism and the general success of the year on return program boosted tourism greatly during the year”.
Catherine Afeku was the only female Minister among the top 10 best performing Ministers.
The survey also scored Minister for Regional Reorganisation as the best performing Minister in 2019 and the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation as the worst performing Minister.
The report which looked at the top 10 best-performing and worst-performing ministers in the Akufo-Addo government, said Mrs Dapaah’s poor performance was based on her inability to address poor sanitation situation in the country.
The report used 10 experts/Policy Analysts, and 5000 public respondents, sampled purposively across 3 regions.
The Public respondents were sampled from, Civil Societies, the Media, the Clergy, Students, lower and middle-income groups.
The report also recommended for the immediate scrapping of the following Ministries;
- Special Development Initiative
- Business Development
- Planning
- Inner City and Zongo Development
- Minister of State at the Presidency in Charge of Agriculture
The report also called for Immediate Ministerial Reshuffle and merging of some other Ministries.
Speaking to some Constituents in Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency of Western Region on outcome of the survey, they said the findings were accurate and very authentic.
They added that they were not surprised to see Catherine Afeku, their MP among the top 10 best performing Ministers in the country.
They said she performed well when she was a Tourism Minister and therefore urged her to focus on her new portfolio and work hard to lift up the image of the Constituency higher.
Find below the top 10 best performing Ministers
- Dan Kweku Botwe
- Catherine Afeku
- Kofi Dzamesi
- Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu
- Attah Akyea
- Joe Ghartey
- Alan Kyeremanteng
- Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
- Dr. Akoto Afriyie
- Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
A group calling itself the Voice of Nzema (VON), a socio-political pressure group, has hailed Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira constituency in the Western Region, Catherine Ablema Afeku for chalking successes in government.
This was disclosed to the general public at a press briefing at Half Assini on Friday, October 18, 2019.
Addressing the media, the leadership of the group indicated that despite some few challenges the Akufo-Addo-led government has encountered, the MP has performed creditably.
According to the group, Catherine Afeku being the first person to be appointed as a Minister since 1993, has performed well in areas of Road Infrastructure, Education, Health, Telecommunications Network, Scholarships, Water and Sanitation among others.
Under health sector, they said Catherine Afeku who is a Minister of State at the Office of Senior Office, has done a lot for his Constituents to improve the health sector.
They mentioned the construction of a CHPS compound at Tebakrom, construction of a maternity ward at Ewoku, construction of Fence Wall and Renovation of OPD at Gwira Banso Health Centre, construction of Community Clinic at Apataim among others.
In the area of roads infrastructure, the group applauded the MP for lobbying for so many roads to be done in the area and also for construction of bridges.
They listed the construction of concrete bridge at Ajomoro Eshiem Feeder Roads, construction of Community bridge at Ambganze, reshaping of Cocoashed-Domunli-Agyan Feeder Roads, reshaping of Yediyesele Junction Feeder Roads among others.
The Voice of Nzema also commended her for improving the educational facilities in the area.
They highlighted the construction of 3-unit classroom block at Agona, construction of 3-unit classroom block at Gwira Aiyinase, construction of Teachers Quarters at Kukuavile, construction of 6-unit Classroom Block at Gwiraman SHS among others.
“Distribution of 500 desk to; Apewosika JHS, Dr. Beamish School, Akango Primary School, Anibil Basic School, Yediyesele Basic School, Akonu/Egyan Basic School, Apataim Basic School and Kukuavile Primary School, Kakusuazo Basic School, Bokro Basic School.
Others are, Ayisakro Primary School, Ankyernyin Primary School, Axim R/C School”, they added.
In the area of telecommunications network, they said the MP has lobbied for these communities to get access to network. They can now link up with the globe, Bamianko, Dominase, Banso, Assouwua, Eshiem, Kutukrom and Tebakrom.
Under human capacity development, the group disclosed to the gathering that 500 apprentices have been deployed to learn various trades under Catherine Afeku’s ‘Vocational Skills and Training’.
They also disclosed that the MP has constructed seventeen (17) community sheds for social gathering.
Under water and sanitation, Catherine Afeku was hailed for the construction of borehole at Aguafo, construction of borehole at Bokro, construction of borehole at Anibil among others.
Under scholarships, they said apart from the Free SHS flagship program, the MP has given scholarships to some students to further their education at the tertiary levels, both in Ghana and abroad.
“Given Educational Scholarship to many students by the MP to study various courses both home and abroad. 33 Tertiary Students given Educational Scholarship, Chinese Government Scholarship to 25 people for short term courses in China, Annual Mock Examination for BECE Candidates, Annual support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) program”, they mentioned.
They stressed that “We have witnessed the unprecedented jobs and how people’s lives are being changed Excitedly about the future of the country and Nzema at large and that of Nzema children, we’re very much grateful for the recent inauguration of the town guards”.
They concluded, “We commend you and also thank you for the strong leadership you have exhibited since 7 January 2017 till date.
The incredible and remarkable successes chalked by your leadership within the short period bears it all, you deserve second and third time in terms of developmental projects”.
Find below Voice of Nzema’s statement
HON. CATHERINE ABELEMA AFEKU DESERVES TO BE HAILED FOR THE UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS – VOICE OF NZEMA (VON)
The Voice of Nzema (VON) has commended Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku, MP for Nzema East for the impressive work she is doing for communities in her jurisdiction.
We have witnessed the unprecedented jobs and how people’s lives are being changed.
We’re by this statement to inform you that we are seeing a transformation in your communities. We are seeing transformation in the lives of your people, and that we are sensing a brighter future for the children and the generations yet unborn.
When we see Catherine Abelema Afeku and Frank Okpenyen we see developments.
THE BELOW ARE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HON. CATHERINE AFEKU(MP) AND HON. FRANK OKPENYEN(MCE) SO FAR FROM 7TH JANUARY, 2017 TO DATE
1. Sea Defence Wall at Axim
2. DVLA Office Complex at Ayisakro
3. Sports Complex and Youth Centre(Mini Stadium) at Axim.
4. Axim Township Roads
5. Nsein Township Roads
6. Nsein SHS Roads
7. Gwira Roads ( Gwira Aiyinase to Gwira Wiawso)
8. Cocoa District for Nzema East
9. Redevelopment of Victoria Park into an Ultra Modern Ceremonial Grounds at Axim
10. Fishing Harbour at Axim
11. Ghana Gas Refilling Bottling Plant at Brawire Akyinim(Axim)
12. Cocoa Roads at Gwira Enclave
HEALTH
13. Construction of Rural CHP Compound at Tebakrom
14. Construction of Maternity Ward at Ewoku(Ongoing)
15. Construction of Gwira Banso (Male and Female Wards)
16. Construction of CHP Compound at Egyan/Akonu
17. Construction of Maternity Ward at Gwira Eshiem
18. Construction of Fence Wall and Renovation of OPD at Gwira Banso Health Centre.
19. Construction of Community Clinic at Apataim
20. Donation of Ambulance to Axim Government Hospital
1D1F
21. Construction of the State of the Art Cassava Processing Factory at Bokro(ongoing)
22. Proposed Coconut Processing Factory at Awukyire
ROADS
23. Construction of Concrete Bridge at Ajomoro Eshiem Feeder Roads
24. Construction of Culvert(Bridges) on Bomokrom-Asonti Feeder Road
25. Renovation of Community Bridge at Ambganzie
26. Construction of Community Bridge at Asantekrom
27. Reshaping of Cocoashed-Domunli-Agyan Feeder Roads
28. Reshaping of Yediyesele Junction Feeder Roads
WATER AND SANITATION
29. Construction of borehole at Aguafo(ongoing)
30. Construction of borehole at Bokro(Ongoing)
31.Construction of borehole at Anibil(Ongoing)
EDUCATION
32. Construction of 3-unit Classroom Block at Agona
33. Construction of 3-unit Classroom Block at Gwira Aiyinase
34. Construction of a 2-unit Classroom Block for Alasuna Basic School at Axim
35. Construction of a 2-unit Classroom Block, Office, Store room and Toilet facility at Ahunyame
36. Construction of Kindergarten Block for Axim Methodist School
37. Construction of Teachers Quarters at Kukuavile
38. Construction of 6-unit Classroom Block at Gwiraman SHS
39. School Feeding Program(16 schools added)
40. Free Extra Classes for SHS and Pre-SHS students
41.Distribution of 500 desks to; Apewosika JHS, Dr. Beamish School, Akango Primary School, Anibil Basic School, Yediyesele Basic School, Akonu/Egyan Basic School, Apataim Basic School and Kukuavile Primary School, Kakusuazo Basic School, Bokro Basic School, Ayisakro Primary School, Ankyernyin Primary School, Axim R/C School
42. Given Educational Scholarship to many students by the MP to study various courses both home and abroad
43. 33 Tertiary Students given Educational Scholarship
44. Chinese Government Scholarship to 25 people for short term courses in China
45. Annual Mock Examination for BECE Candidates
46. Annual support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) program
47. Renovation of a 6-unit Classroom Block at Kukuavile
48. Bus donation to Nsein Senior High School
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
49. Access to communication network at Gwira
1. Phase One; Bamiankor, Dominase, Banso, Assouwua, Eshiem, Kutukrom, Tebakrom
2. Phase Two; Tumentu, Asonti, Kakusuazo, Kukuavile
PUBLIC TOILETS/BATHS
50. Amofukumanu Public Toilet and Bath at Axim
51. Upper Town Public Toilet at Axim
52. Bankyim Public Toilet at Axim
53. Ankonam Street Public Toilet -Axim
54. Anto-Apewosika Public Toilet at Axim
55. Nkekaim Public Toilet at Axim(Ongoing)
56. Avrebo Public Toilet(Ongoing)
57. Kegyina Public Toilet(Ongoing)
58. Bolazo Public Bath at Axim
COMMUNITY SHEDS
59. Cash Money Community Shed – Axim
60. Spain B Community Shed – Axim
61. New York Community Shed – Axim
62. Britain Community Shed – Axim
63. Kokoado Community Shed – Axim
64. Domunli Community Shed – Axim
65. Akonu Community Shed
66. Agona Community Shed
67. Bokro Community Shed
68. Kakusuazo Community Shed
69. Assouwa Community Shed
70. Akosonu Community Shed
71. Gwira Eshiem Community Shed
72. Tumentu Community Shed
73. Bankyim Community Shed
74. Biamankor Community Shed
75. Dzi Wo Ho Nyi Community Shed
HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
76. 500 Apprentices have been deployed to learn various trades under MP’s Vocational Skills and Training.
OTHERS
77. Construction of Apewosika Chief Palace
78. Construction of Public Staircase at Bolazo
79. Renovation of Tomb and Graveyard of George Alfred Grant
80. Renovation of Public Staircase at Amofukumanu
81. Supporting Inter District Sports Festival
82. Gravelling of Courtyard and Tiling of Ghana Police Service Office Complex at Axim
83. Supply of Office Furniture and Equipment for Ghana Police Service at Axim
84. Construction of 27-unit Workshops and 16 Lockable Stores at Ayisakro
85. Extension of Electricity to Workshops, Stores and Connection of Network to National Grid at Ayisakro
86. Distribution of Local FMs to 12 Communities
87. Furnishing all CHP Compounds in the constituency
88. Distribution of Street Bulbs
89. Completion of Basement of Assembly Hall Complex at Axim
90. Renovation of Municipal Chief Executive and Municipal Budget Analyst Bungalows at Axim
91. Painting of Municipal Assembly Block at Axim
92. Furnishing of Municipal Chief Executive’s Bungalow at Axim
93. Rehabilitation of Paa Grant Street
94. Rehabilitation of Fort Antonio Road
95. ICT Training for girls in Nzema East
96. Recruitment of people into the Local Government Services
97. Increased Premix Landing Site and Improved Distribution
98. Distribution of MASLOC Loans to 225 women
99. Distribution of MPs Small Loans Initiative to 200 market women
100. Construction of Brawire-Apataim (Old Axim) roads through MPH.
We commend you and also thank you for the strong leadership you have exhibited since 7 January 2017 till date. The incredible and remarkable successes chalked by your leadership within the short period bears it all, you deserve second and third time in terms of developmental projects.
Thank you!
Long live Ghana!
Long live Western Region!
Long live Nzema!
…….Signed……
VOICE OF NZEMA (VON)
Hon. Dauda Abeka Anvegyene
Chairman
Paul Atta-biah Nyanzu a.k.a Mankind
Secretary
Elizabeth Ewereko
Organizer
Source: Daniel Kaku
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta has cut sod to commence the construction of Nsein town roads in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
The total length of road to be covered is 4.5km of asphaltic overlay.
The GHC20 million road infrastructure forms part of government’s efforts to improve road networks in the country and also to make the various principal streets attractive.
This is as a result of the pledge the Roads and Highways Minister made during a sod-cutting ceremony of the Axim township roads last year at Axim Victoria Park.
The 4.5km Nsien roads will be constructed by InterGlobal Partners Construction Limited and supervised by the Department of Urban Roads.
It is expected to be completed in some 18 months, with the contractor assuring the Roads and Highways Minister of the prompt execution of the project.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony as part of his tour to the Municipality on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at Nsien Durbar Park, the Roads Minister, Mr. Amoako Atta expressed his profound appreciation to the good people of Nzema East Municipality for their overwhelming support.
He also thanked the Member of Parliament of the area, Mrs. Catherine Afeku for ensuring that government fulfil its mandate towards this project and charged the people to rally behind her.
He added that the NPP government is committed to the development of the people of Nzema East Municipality and therefore urged them to embrace the project and support the contractor to complete the work on schedule.
The Minister charged the contractor to ensure that quality work was done to ensure value for money adding that the President, Nana Akufo-Addo would not shield contractors who do shoddy work.
He reaffirmed “We will do quality works for the people and I call on this contractor to be God-fearing and honest with the people to do quality work and I want to state it here that the NPP government will not spare any contractor who will do shoddy work on our roads, such contractor will be punished”.
Mr. Amoako Atta bemoaned that the Western Region happens to be the food basket of the nation but was crestfallen that the Region was bedeviled with poor road network and assured the people that “the time to tackle the roads is now”.
He admonished contractors in Ghana to listen to advice from traditional rulers on how best to structure the roads adding that he together with Directors at the Urban Roads department would monitor progress of work to ensure that quality work is done and completed on time.
He, therefore, seized the occasion to charged the traditional rulers to deal with anybody who will be caught in stealing of materials belonging to the contractor.
“Please Awulea deal with anybody who will steal some of the cements of the contractor and I will also urge the Religious Leaders here to support the Traditional Council to deal with any thief”, he opined.
The Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Council, Awulae Agyevi Kwame II, who was the chairman for the sod-cutting ceremony thanked the Akufo-Addo-led government for honouring its promise.
He promised to assist the contractor to complete the project on schedule.
He appealed to the contractor to employ some of the youth in the area to assist in the construction work.
The Paramount Chief also urged the youth who will be engaged by the contractor to work hard and eshew any form of laziness and theft.
Speaking to GhanaWeb Correspondent after the sod-cutting ceremony, the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Catherine Afeku thanked President Akufo-Addo for listening to their calls to construct the Nsein township roads
She revealed that since 1957 no government has developed the area than the NPP government and that the project when completed will face-lift the image of the late Paa Grant who was the founder of UGCC/UP traditions.
Mrs. Afeku used the opportunity to reassure the good people of the Nzema East Municipality that, the Akufo-Addo led government is keen on infrastructural development which will lead to economic and social development as well.
“The projects we are currently undertaking in the Nzema East Municipality are just a tip of the iceberg, there are more projects intended to be started and completed soon within the Municipality. This is a sign that, the Akufo-Addo led administration is more of an action and vision driven one than some other administrations we have witnessed in the past”, she opined.
She seized the opportunity to express her profound appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for the support given to her Constituents.
Hon Catherine Afeku who has been named Yaa Asantewa of Nzemaland, therefore, entreated all Ghanaians to unite and continue to support His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo for the great work he is doing for this lovely nation.
“Let us rally behind President Akufo-Addo and his government and also pray hard for President Akufo-Addo for wisdom and long life and develop our area”, she pleaded.
On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Mr. Frank Okpenyen admitted that the spate of development springing up in the municipality in the last two and half years was unprecedented.
He pledged to continue to team up with the MP to redouble their efforts to accelerate development and boost the local economy.
He revealed that the Minister for Transport is expected to commission the state-of-the-art ultra-modern office complex for the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and a private vehicle testing center at Ayisakro on July 22, 2019.
He also revealed that the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to be at Axim on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 to cut sod for the construction of Axim Landing Beach.
He, therefore, seized the opportunity to highlight some of the projects the Akufo-Addo-led government is doing in the area; construction of ultra-modern sports complex at Axim, construction of Axim township roads, construction of Axim Sea Defence Wall, construction of Gwira roads among others.
The colourful ceremony brought the scores of people from the three Constituencies within the Nzemaland and other places to grace it and ended in a peaceful manner.
The Minister for Roads and Highways was accompanied by some staff of the Ministry, Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi Hon. Catherine Afeku, National Highway Authority CEO, Western Regional Acting CEO of Highway Authority, the media among others.
Minister of State at the office of the presidency, Catherine Ablema Afeku has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians in the diaspora to return to their homeland.
Delivering a speech at this year’s Ghana Diaspora and Homecoming Summit held at the Accra International Conference Center, she stated that, “All the deliberations we have had this past three days is to solidify our base that you have a home. Returning now is no longer a cementable and difficult event. You can use your experience to encourage the rest who are still out there to know that there’s a home called Ghana”.
According to her, the hustle Ghanaians living abroad go through to come back to the country is being resolved, adding that, measures are also being put in place to ensure there’s free flow of movement for them.
Her comments come as a back up to what President Akufo-Addo said during the opening ceremony of the Diaspora Summit.
The President hinted that there are plans by government to soon place before Parliament a bill that would allow Ghanaians with dual citizenship to hold public office.
She further stated that President Akufo-Addo’s promise will soon become a reality because, he has diasporans at heart.
However, called on them to invest their skills and money into the development of the country.
She said, “let me take this opportunity to call on you, those of you gathered here, home and abroad to look back home, to look to Ghana to invest your skills, your network and your finance in the innovation center and businesses that has to do with tourism, arts,…”
The Year of Return, a three-day event is to commemorate and cement Ghana’s pan African legacy over the past 400 years.
It also aimed at bringing together people from all walks of life, create a platform for engagement and celebrate the resilience of African heritage.
Minister of State at the office of the presidency, Catherine Ablema Afeku has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians in the diaspora to return to their homeland.
Delivering a speech at this year’s Ghana Diaspora and Homecoming Summit held at the Accra International Conference Center, she stated that, “All the deliberations we have had this past three days is to solidify our base that you have a home. Returning now is no longer a cementable and difficult event. You can use your experience to encourage the rest who are still out there to know that there’s a home called Ghana”.
According to her, the hustle Ghanaians living abroad go through to come back to the country is being resolved, adding that, measures are also being put in place to ensure there’s free flow of movement for them.
Her comments come as a back up to what President Akufo-Addo said during the opening ceremony of the Diaspora Summit.
The President hinted that there are plans by government to soon place before Parliament a bill that would allow Ghanaians with dual citizenship to hold public office.
She further stated that President Akufo-Addo’s promise will soon become a reality because, he has diasporans at heart.
However, called on them to invest their skills and money into the development of the country.
She said, “let me take this opportunity to call on you, those of you gathered here, home and abroad to look back home, to look to Ghana to invest your skills, your network and your finance in the innovation center and businesses that has to do with tourism, arts,…”
The Year of Return, a three-day event is to commemorate and cement Ghana’s pan African legacy over the past 400 years.
It also aimed at bringing together people from all walks of life, create a platform for engagement and celebrate the resilience of African heritage.
The Member of Parliament for Evalue-Ajomoro Gwira Constituency in the Western Region, Hon. Catherine Afeku popularly known as ‘Nzema Yaa Asantewaa’ has donated 200 sewing machines to 200 seamstresses in her area during the 62nd Independence Day celebrations.
The MP is currently sponsoring some youth in her Constituency at the various vocational training schools in Nzema to get skills and to be successful people in future.
Additionally, she donated 160 dummies to newly recruited hair dressers. This support cut across all the towns in the Constituency.
Mrs. Catherine Afeku seized the occasion and outdoored 360 teeming youth including two physically challenged young girls to be enrolled into vocational training schools.
Speaking at the 62nd Independence Day parade held at Nsien Senior High School park, Mrs. Catherine Afeku thanked the Chiefs and people of the Municipality for their support given to the area to regain its lost glory.
She urged them to maintain the peace, unity and stability in the municipality amidst political difference.
Mrs. Afeku appealed to her constituents to rally behind President Akufo-Addo government to develop the area.
She, therefore, charged the apprentices to take their training seriously and make good use of the machines.
She pledged to support them to finish their training and also called on other benevolent organizations to support the vulnerable.
Mrs Catherine Afeku who has education at her heart, advised the school children to take their studies seriously and respect their parents.
She called on the parents to embrace the Free SHS programme and support their children to benefit from this laudable program.
She used the occasion to thank the MCE for supporting her to organize free vacation classes for the Double Track SHS students. She promised to organise more for them.
On his part, the MCE for the area, Hon. Frank Okpenyen spoke about the importance of peace to his people in the municipality.
He pleaded with all the chiefs and the various political parties to work together to disband all the political vigilantes.
He told his people that they should always remember the toil of the forefathers of this country so that they don’t destroy the peace with greediness and politics.
He, therefore seized the occasion to thank the MP for the area for the kind gesture extended to teeming youth.
He also urged them to take their training seriously.
The President of the Ghana Tailoring Association (GTA) in the Municipality, Master Ebenezer thanked Hon. Catherine Afeku for continuously supporting them and working with them to ensure that every single life is impacted.
He pledged his commitment to make the investment to achieve its intended purposes.
In this year’s celebration, the Municipality awarded 16 students who excelled in 2018 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, has been appointed Chairperson of the Leadership Taskforce of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The appointment was announced at the first presential meeting of the Leadership Taskforce which took place on January 25, 2018 at the headquarters of the world body in Madrid, Spain.
In a follow-up letter formally conferring the position on Mrs Afeku, the UNWTO Secretary-General, Dr Zurab Pololikashvili, referred to her “valuable input and leadership” at the meeting of the organization and congratulated her on her “unanimous appointment”, wishing her “every success and personal satisfaction in your new responsibilities as Chairperson for the upcoming mandate of two years.”
The Secretary General mentioned the forthcoming Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Africa to be hosted by Ghana from November 25-27, 2019 and added: “I personally look forward to the collaboration between UNWTO and Ghana” towards its success.
He used the opportunity to remind the world that the congress in Ghana was expected to play a crucial role towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which aimed to ‘achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’. It will also address one of the key priorities of the UNWTO Africa agenda on Empowering Youth and Women
Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku joined stakeholders within the Creative Arts Industry at the Accra Tourist Information Centre for the first ever monthly Creative Arts Workshop yesterday.
She used the opportunity to commend the Creative Arts Council for organizing the workshop, and acknowledged the importance of the workshop in the Art Industry.
Furthermore, she assured stakeholders in the industry that, the monthly workshop initiative is not a one-time event the Creative Art Council was organizing, but it’s something they intend to do in every month and it’s not going to be happening only in Accra, but will also be extended to other regions as well.
According to Hon. Afeku, the workshop was very interactive and interesting, and she also reiterated the fact that, the Nana Addo led administration is keen on making the Creative Arts Industry a very attractive one to attract investors to expand the industry.