Story: Tim Dzamboe, Keta
A non-governmental development organization, the Volta Foundation, has proposed a Keta Restoration Project as a new paradigm for the revival of potential of Keta for relaxation, pleasure and leisure and for investment.
This is against the background that the area was ready for investment in salt, marina, tourism and fishing following the completion of the Keta Sea Defence project that had made it possible to reclaim part of lost lands from the sea as well as stopping further sea erosion in the area.
The founder and president of the foundation, Mr Raymond Okudzeto made the proposal at a colourful durbar of chiefs of the Anlo traditional council which was unprecedented in recent times in view of the controversy surrounding the occupancy of the Awoamefia stool.
The durbar was held at a newly established tourism resort centre on a reclaimed land known as the Emancipation Cultural Beach Resort to mark the second year of the foundation on the theme, “ Unearthing the hidden potential of the Volta Region”.
Mr Okudzeto congratulated all those whose efforts culminated into the reclamation of vast spans of land in Keta and its environs, most especially the past and the current governments for their foresight and will power to start and to continue the project.
He said the impetus to propose the Keta Restoration Project was aimed at answering the onerous question of whether the people were putting the resources available for the development of the area which was once famous for its booming economic activities.
He said the foundation on its part had distributed books to schools in the region and publishes a magazine to expose the potentials of the region to the nation and the international community.
Mr Okudzeto said the foundation will support education, health care delivery, agriculture, bio-diesel production, youth employment with the support and partnership with communities and the diplomatic corps.
In an address, the Dufia of Alakple, Torgbui Kporku III said the durbar was the first time the real chiefs of Anlo had assembled without security men outnumbering the spectators and stressed the need to rise up in unity to forge the path of progress.
He advised the people to eschew lukewarm attitudes and apathy that had caused them a lot of deprivation although the area was richly endowed with natural resources.
Torgbui Kporku warned that nobody can impose himself on the people of Anlo adding that, “when they bring the fight to us we shall fight them until we read their obituary”.
Addressing the durbar, the Keta District Chief Executive, Mr Edward Kofi Ahiabor declared that Keta had become the promised land of the Volta Region especially the numerous untapped tourist attractions that had emerged in the area.
He therefore entreated chiefs to champion the crusade on peace in the area because they commanded affection and respect of the youth and can play a great role in mobilizing them.
Mr Ahiabor expressed reservations on sand winning at unathorised places at the reclaimed and that they should cast their minds back on the past negative effects of the sea that brought in the sea defence project and that nothing should be done to undermine the achievements of the project.
In a welcoming address, the Dufia of Keta, Togbui James Ocloo pledged the readiness of his people to participate in relevant projects identified by the foundation for the socio-economic development of the area.
A member of council of state who chaired the function, Mr. A.K Deku said the historical significance of Keta as the only district capital in the Lower Volta and the only area that was part of the Gold Coast cannot be overemphasized.
Present were the ambassadors of Canada and Italy and their spouses .
Activities held to mark the second anniversary were inter schools quiz competition, inter schools beach soccer competition, water sports and a beach jamboree.
The wife of Mr Okudzeto, Lois made cash donations to some nurses at the Keta Government Hospital and also donated paints for the renovation of the children’s ward of the hospital.
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