The Central Region has been ranked as the fourth richest, out of the 16 regions according to the Ghana Living Standards Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service with estimates in 2021.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, who made the announcement, called on stakeholders to work towards the transformation of the region.
She was speaking at a Council Meeting of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
The meeting created the platform to discuss challenges and prospects of the region.
Mrs Assan said: “It also remains the most productive region per capita and the 3rd in terms of per Capita income levels for people engaged in farming, fishing, fish processing, formal public work and trading.”
She explained that the region had also been identified as the second highest in terms of demographic dividends opportunity.
She further said that the region was also identified as the fourth least unemployment and youth unemployment figures in the country.
Mrs Assan, therefore, stated the need for stakeholders to work towards influencing policy decisions and investment in support of the regional development strategy and also create opportunities for the youth.
Mrs Assan further stated that the Lands Commission had started the Cape Coast Redevelopment Project to ensure proper development of the area.
“They have inaugurated the redevelopment Technical Committee which comprises other stakeholders to manage the project,” she said.
She expressed the hope that the committee would undertake a professional work to effectively manage all government lands with the view of transforming the Cape Coast Metropolis.
She, however, explained that arrangements were in place to allocate portions of the RCC lands to departments/institutions who had expressed interest to put up new office blocks within our enclave.
“This will enable the public to secure the services of the departments and the agencies without much difficulty and hustle,” she said.
On improving rice production in the region, Mrs Assan indicated that the RCC and other stakeholders were towards making the region a hub in the growing of rice in the country.
“In line with this objective, we have directed the Regional Directorate of Agriculture to draw a five-year rice development plan to expand the growing of rice in the region,” she said.
The Regional Minister further expressed concern about the poor environmental sanitation, reckless disposal of refuse and open defecation, among other sanitation issues in the area.
She called for the adoption of collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in tackling these challenges, saying, “We need to join forces to get rid of this social canker which is affecting our communities.”
Mrs Assan further said that, the region would be hosting this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFAC) which would create a platform for all regions to showcase their cultural potential from November 4 to 11.
The festival, she said, is to promote positive linkages and synergy to develop and promote the economic aspect of culture in order to enhance Ghana’s image as a Cultural Tourism Destination.
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, commended the RCC and other stakeholders for their commitment towards the development of the region.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, CAPE COAST
