New Ayoma – A clergyman has called for a socio-economic renaissance, to enable the people of Buem in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region to regain their lost status.
Most Reverend Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, Bishop of Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church, appealed to the people to spearhead any such initiative for positive results.
He reminded them that in the past, community-led projects resulted in the building of facilities, including post offices, community centres, and school blocks, many of which were now dilapidated.
Most Rev. Mante was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people to crown the Buem 2012 Congress, organised by the Coalition for Peace and Development in Buem (COPADIB), on Saturday at New-Ayoma in the District.
The annual event brought together the people of Buem, to discuss and chart development for the area, known for its fertile land, and used to be a bustling cocoa-producing zone.
Most Rev. Mante said some four decades ago, the Buem area was a highly favoured destination for investment in agriculture and trading, but today the situation has changed, and dwindling fortunes of the area could be reversed by the people.
Mr Isaka Buraima, Chairman of COPADIP, said over the years, the group had supported development in the area, and cited the purchase and distribution of 20,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers and the resolution of protracted chieftaincy disputes in the area.
He said the Buem Congress would be transformed into a yearly festival from 2014, to be held at Bodada, seat of the Buem Traditional Area.
Mt Buraima said that the theme for the occasion: “Healthy People for Sustainable Development,” was chosen because good health of individuals, aggregating into general health status of groups, was a priced resource.
He said the success of community development plans, and economic activities were premised on the health of the people.
Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin, Minister of Health, through an emissary, announced that a health team comprising doctors, surgeons, dietitians and physical exercise experts would visit the district, to tackle health problems affecting the people.
He said government was working hard to upgrade capacities of health facilities in the area.
Nana Kwame Akoto IV, Chief of New Ayoma, appealed to government to upgrade the New Ayoma Clinic into a polyclinic.
Nana Barima Kumessy-Bonsy, Jasikan District Chief Executive (DCE), expressed worry that the 2012 Basic Education Certificate Examination results in the area was the poorest ever, and called on stakeholders to help in improving education.
Congress resolutions announced by Naval Captain Moses Beick-Baffour, included activating works of the documentation of the history of the Buems and the location of a permanent site for the Buem Cultural Village.