Courtesy Call on the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area
Mr. Edmund King Gyamfi, the Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture led the Regional Minister, High Commissioner, Chief Director and other dignitaries to the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Katakyie Kwesi Bumagamah II to officially inform him about the tour of the High Commissioner.
The High Commissioner and other dignitaries were received in a colorful grand durbar by the Traditional Authorities at the forecourt of the Palace.
Honorable Richard Ebbah Obeng in a laconic address used the occasion to inform all the divisional Chiefs within the six (6) administrative districts under the Paramount Chief about the roadmap of cooperation between the region and the high commissioner of India.
The Paramount Chief, Katakyie Kwesi Bumangamah II in a short speech was grateful to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for creating the region. He also made mention that, “today Monday 7th November, 2022 will feature prominently in the annals of Sefwiman since this is the first time ever that a High Commissioner is visiting him”. He added that, the visit is going to create a bond of friendship between Sefwi and India.
Furthermore, he appealed to His Excellency Sugandh Rajaram to assist them with scholarships to be given to needy students in the area of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Again, he also made a special appeal to the High Commissioner to consider an exchange program with the Sefwi Wiawso College of Education and Colleges of Education in India.
Also, he urged the High Commissioner to bring back the laudable project of establishing a cocoa processing factory in Sefwi Wiawso which was agreed two years ago with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Ghana (GOG) and the Republic of India but due to Covid 19 pandemic outbreak, the project couldn’t materialized. However, they believe it can be done with the support of EXIM BANK Loan Facility. He made reference to the Komenda Sugar factory which was established in 1964 and was revamped in 2016 with a thirty five (35) million dollars India Exim Bank Loan facility. He added that same could be done to the cocoa processing factory.
Besides, he said, Sefwi land abounds in rich deposit of Gold and Timber resources but lack of employment has lured most of the youth to go into illegal mining (Galamsey) which has been the talk of the day because of the destruction of our water bodies and forest cover. “I am therefore, making an appeal to you to help explore and put up refining factories to absorb the youth to help minimize illegal mining (Galamsey)”.
The Paramount Chief used the opportunity to invite the Commissioner to the upcoming Eluo festival which will showcase the rich culture of Sefwiman and is schedule to take place on the 24th and 25th of November, 2022.
Mr. Sugandh Rajaram in response, thanked the Traditional Authorities most especially the Paramount Chief, Katayie Kwasi Bumangamah II for the reception given him. He also appreciated the concern and the appeal made to him.
Also, he indicated India’s readiness to promote educational exchange by giving scholarships to individuals in the region. There was exchange of gifts between the Paramount Chief and High Commissioner.