Dr Archibald Letsa
THE development prospects of the newly-created Oti Region are very bright with vast assurances of rapid wealth and job creation from its natural resources, according to the acting Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghanaian Times here on Saturday, Dr Letsa mentioned agriculture, agro-processing and water transport among areas which have the potential for rapid economic development for the new region.
For instance, Dr Letsa said, the Kyabobo National Park in Nkwanta was an asset for massive revenue generation, while water front tourists’ centres could be developed along the River Oti to further boost tourism and the transport industries of the area.
He said that as a priority step to open up the area, the portion of the Eastern Corridor Road from Peki through Have, Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Dodi Pepesu, Nkwanta, Kpasa, and Oti-Damango into the Northern Region would be fixed as soon as possible.
The portion of the Western Corridor Road from Kpando through Nkonya, Abotoase, Worawora, Apesokubi, Asokorkor, Katanga, Tokoranu, Lomabin, and Kparekpare to Dambai would also be given similar attention.
“Meanwhile, one major project that government places a high premium on is the construction of a bridge over River Oti to link Dambai to Krachi-Nchumuru,” Dr Letsa affirmed.
On agro-processing, the acting regional minister maintained that the abundance of cashew, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, yam, rice and honey were enough raw materials for the sector.
The vast population of young people in the area, he noted, was also an advantage for the area’s development.
Oti Region is also on record for its unequalled livestock production, Dr Letsa added.
On the choice of Dambai as the regional capital, Dr Letsa said that it was most appropriate as it was in the middle of the region and easily accessible to all.
He explained that, although Dambai, an important market centre, was the capital, the various regional departments would be spread among the various towns in the region and not concentrated in Dambai.
“We will give equal attention to every community in the region,” Dr Letsa assured.
Meanwhile, Dr Letsa has announced plans by government to build a new settlement of government offices, bungalows, flats and various amenities just outside the fringes of Dambai to enhance its status as regional capital.
He, therefore, entreated the chiefs to give out land readily for that purpose.
“As part of the priorities, we also need to improve upon educational and health institutions in the region, and also put a multi-purpose youth centre to develop the vast sporting talents among the young people in the Oti Region,” he revealed.
On other development concerns, Dr Letsa, who is also the Volta Regional Minister, said that the ministerial committee set up by government was working to identify other areas which required immediate attention.
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, HO
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