The Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Okyere Ekow Panyin, has paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II.
The visit marked the official assumption of duties by the new Regional Minister.
While at the palace, Ekow Panyin, announced his “readiness to enhance cooperation between government and traditional leaders to ensure developmental progress in the Central Region”.
Sharing his vision with the Oguaamanhene who was flanked by his sub-chiefs, the Minister said tourism is one area that would be a main focus in building a robust economy for the region.
“I don’t agree with the narrative that we have nothing in the Central Region. Neither do I also agree that the region is poor. We have so many opportunities, elite schools and several tourist sites. What is left for us to do is to add value to our tourist sites to attract patrons who will not just visit for a day but reside in the region for several days. While here, I’m sure they’ll make spendings that would be a source of a major boost to our local economy”- Ekow Panyin mentioned.
Ekow Panyin added that youth development will be a priority in order to address unemployment.
“Creating jobs does not necessarily mean building more factories but we can also identify skilled youth, enhance their skills and offer them some support to expand their trade,” he said.
The Oguaamanhene, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, on his part expressed worry about the traffic situation on the Accra-Cape Coast highway describing it as a bane for the dwindling tourist population in the region and suggests for infrastructure to be laid to aid air travel.
“It takes about four hours to travel from Accra to Cape Coast here and that demotivates tourists. Even when they come too, they spend only a few hours. So, I think it’ll be better if a helipad was built to aid travel which would take just about thirty minutes to reach here”- Osabarima Kwesi Atta told the Minister.
Eduamoah Okyere Ekow Panyin served as a two-term member of Parliament for Gomoa East. He became the Central Regional Vice Chairman of the NDC and was recently appointed by President John Mahama to serve as the Central Regional Minister.
