Retain Ellembelle DCE – Chiefs, queenmothers urge Akufo-Addo
The chiefs and queenmothers in Ellembelle in the Western Region have made a strong case on the need for the District Chief Executive Kwasi Bonzoh to be retained.
They argue that the illustrious and passion-driven young man since he became the DCE has worked tirelessly to make the district a “citadel of development”.
“Since his appointment as the Chief Executive of Ellembelle, our hardworking DCE has demonstrated a commitment to the development of our District by initiating and completing various socio-economic infrastructural projects over the past four years with numerous other projects in progress,” said the royals made up of Chief of Ampain Nana Nyameke Fofole II, Chief of Samima Nana Kwamina Bentum and Queenmother Nana Yenzu Amihere IV.
According to them, to ensure that all his efforts are geared towards delivering sustainable development for the improvement of the lives of the people of the Ellembelle District, he has forged a strong ally with traditional authorities, the clergy and faith-based organizations, the business community, the youth and women groups while also maintaining meaningful relationships with his constituents.
At a press conference at Ellembelle to press home their plea on President Nana Akufo-Addo, the chiefs and queenmothers stated that “as traditional leaders who are directly in touch with the people of Ellembelle, we can attest to our DCE’s rigorous efforts at pursuing developmental projects for the Ellembelle district in the areas of health, tourism, agriculture, education, roads, job creation, the fight against illegal mining activities, as well as promoting and improving vocational education in the district”.
Education
The chiefs and queenmothers indicated that with a strong belief and passion for improving the lives of the people through education, Kwasi Bonzoh has over the last four years invested heavily in providing infrastructure at all levels of education from pre-school to the second cycle.
“In that direction we are all witnesses to his bold decision to build 12 new school buildings fully furnished with furniture, ICT laboratories and offices and staff common room out of which 8 has been completed and currently in use in the following communities: Awiebo, Basake, Bomoakpole, Asanta, Salman, Awiaso, Teleku Bokazo and Ankobra. Another 4 are near completion in Nvenlesolo, Aiyinase Nyamebekyere, Nzema Akropong, and Esiama.”
They added: “At the second cycle level all 6 public SHS, Technical and Vocational institutions in the District have benefitted from massive infrastructural projects including the construction of a Girls Dormitory and Dining Hall at Kikam Technical Institute, Dining Hall at Esiama SHS, 6-unit classroom block at Bonzoh Kaku SHS, 6-unit classroom block at Kamgbunli UBAISH SHS, 12-unit classroom, Boys Dormitory, Girls Dormitory and a 20 seater washroom and toilet all at Nkroful Agricultural SHS. Under the leadership of Hon. Bonzoh K! the Charlotte Dolphyne is currently undergoing a major upgrade in facilities including the construction of new Boys Dormitory, Girls Dormitory, 10-unit classroom block, 4 fully-equipped ultra-modern workshops, an administration block and an ICT laboratory.”
Markets
They said Kwasi Bonzo has been able to complete the construction of the PWD-EDA Guest house at Azuleloanu, an ultra-modern fish market at Ayinase, a satellite market at Adubrim, while work is far advanced on the construction of 2 new markets in Aiyinase and Esiama.
Water and Sanitation
The chiefs and queenmothers stated that the DCE has been able to complete 3 solar-powered mechanized boreholes in Ampain, Ankobra and AB Bokazo (all currently in use) with another 5 almost completed at Ngalekpole, Asasetre. Kanokware, New Bakanta and Kamgbunli.
“A 12- seater water closet facility has been completed at Awiebo while over 25 communities are being provided potable water through the provision of boreholes fitted with hand pump in communities such as Bobrama, Asemko, Baku, Tandan, Kamgbunli, Beposo, Pelekpolenu, Atebabo, Ngabawie, Agbeyieyie, Asasetre Nyamebekyere, Santaso, Sarpongkrom, Aidoosuazo, Adjei-Obenkrom, Mandugbane among others.”
Health
They revealed that due to the hard work of their DCE, a modern CHPS compound has been completed and currently in use at Azuleloanu while another one is near completion at Aluku.
According to them, there is also an ongoing expansion and upgrading of the St. Martin de Porres Hospital at Eikwe from a primary to secondary hospital under a contract awarded by the Ellembelle District Assembly with funding from GNPC.
Roads
According to them, Ellembelle is currently benefitting from a simultaneous construction of over 260-kilometer of various road projects across the length and breadth of the district.
“Mr. President, when at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Ellembelle at Teleku Bokazo on Tuesday 18th August, 2020 you boldly cut the sod for the construction of about two hundred and forty kilometers (240) of road projects initiated by our hardworking and affable DCE Bonzoh K! many were those who could not imagine how a mere DCE could initiate, lobby and secure funding for the construction of 240 km of roads in one district.”
They are particularly happy that the DCE has been able to rally corporate support for the construction of the Nkroful-Esiama road, leading to the birthplace of the country’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which holds huge potential for tourism.
“As a result of that construction, tourists will now be able to easily visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum unlike the hustle they previously had to go through to get to the mausoleum”.
They also mentioned a number of recreational centers built by the DCE, stressing that “this edifice, an ultra-modern Community Center built by the Assembly for the people of Akoto; which has served as the venue of today’s event is a major testament to his vision”.
“A much bigger version of this is also currently being constructed for the people of Asasetre and expected to be completed soon,” they added.
Illegal mining
According to the chiefs and queenmother, in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the DCE has since 2019 embarked on over 16 security operations using the police, DISEC and Operation Vanguard leading to the arrest and prosecution of several galamseyers.
They claim that it was the DCE’s “uncompromising stance against galamsey activities in the district that made him incur the wrath of a cross section of the youth which cost him lots of votes in certain communities during the 2020 general elections”.
“It is unfortunate that notwithstanding his sterling performance as a DCE, the NPP lost both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Ellembelle during the 2020 elections as a result a bitter internal party wrangling. From our objective observation, the DCE who doubled as the NPP parliamentary candidate for the 2020 elections became an unfortunate victim of the in-fighting within the NPP party and not the cause of it”.
They explained that they remember vividly when “Mr. President you told us as Nananom of Ellembelle during your visit to Atuabo Gas Processing Plant on August 24, 2017 on a Thank You tour immediately after your assumption of office that we quote ‘If there a decision that I do not regret making as President, it is my decision to appoint the young man Bonzoh K! as the DCE for Ellembelle”.
“Mr. President, after four years of working with our DCE, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh we are here today to vindicate your sound judgment on that particular appointment as well as commend our DCE Bonzoh K! for not betraying the confidence you repose in him”.
They maintained: “It is against this background that we have come together as Chiefs and Queenmothers representing the good people of Ellembelle to make this humble but passionate appeal to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to continue to repose his confidence in Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh and retain him to continue his good works as our DCE”.
