The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Cape Coast Ernest Arthur has assured the people of the area of his commitment in rolling out the best of programmes which will greatly improve livelihood in the area.
His administration, he says is committed in creating job opportunities for the people especially the youth so that they could earn income to support themselves.
Speaking at the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 7th Assembly, Hon. Ernest Arthur explained that projects like the bulb production plant is 70% completed and will employ a lot of the youth aside helping the country to cut down on its bulb imports.
He added that the assembly is also committed to assisting local famers in the metropolis in their farming activities especially in improving crop yield.
A total of 252 farmers, he indicated have so far benefited from the planting for food programme as even over 280 acres of land is under cultivation for growing of maize alone.
He indicated that eight(8) educational institutions in the metropolis including University of Cape Coast, Mfantsipim and Adesadel College, Ghana National College, he added have also being supported to cultivate 30.5 acres of maize.
He emphasized that all the schools and farmers have been given adequate fertilizers and other pesticides to boost production and also ward off the effect of the fall army worms whose activities he stressed have been contained in the area.
“The menace of the fall army worm is firmly under control as enough stock of pesticides are available for distribution freely to farmers likely to be affected. Several farming communities such as Effutu, Mampong, Koforidua ,Nyinasem, Dehia,Mempeasem, Abura, Nkanfoa, Nyamebekyere, Ankaful have all been trained in groups to identify, detect scout and control these pests when they emerge” he stated.
Hon. Ernest Arthur also indicated that the assembly is also set to provide 12 solar powered mechanised boreholes to some communities in the metropolis so as to guarantee them decent and regular water supply.
The School feeding programme , he added has also been expanded to cover additional schools in the metropolis to boost enrollment .
Initially, some 14 schools were on the programme but has been increased by 20 to 34 beneficiary institutions.
The Livelihood Empowerment Programme Against Policy(LEAP), he stated has also been expanded from the initial 14 households to 44 households representing a 30 increase in number .
He called on residents including the assembly members to support his administration in lifting the metropolis to an enviable level in terms of development.
Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour.