The Chairman of the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association, Desmond Cudjoe, is urging authorities in the region to take charge of its development.
He believes that relying solely on the central government for development initiatives isn’t the way forward.
Instead, he advocates for self-development, which would enable the region to capitalize on job opportunities in industries like mining, oil, and more, ultimately empowering the youth.
This call to action is particularly relevant, given the region’s struggles with poor roads, inadequate market centers, and other developmental challenges.
Mr Cudjoe made during a pivotal dialogue program hosted by the Western Regional Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), with funding from the Canada local initiatives on Monday, February 24 in Takoradi.
This program was specifically designed to identify the challenges facing the Western Region and explore possible solutions for its development.
The program, themed “Redefining the Development Agenda: Collaborative Strategies for the Sustainable Growth of the Western Region,” brought together key stakeholders to discuss the region’s future and forge a path forward.
Mr Cudjoe said, “Today’s dialogue is a call to action, urging us to redefine our priorities through collaboration. As journalists, we play a vital role in connecting policymakers, communities, and stakeholders, serving as both watchdogs and bridges.”
“This forum represents our commitment to fostering unity among key stakeholders, including the Regional Minister, MPs, CSOs, traditional authorities, and the people, to co-create solutions that drive progress.”
“We must move beyond mere words and instead forge a pact for progress. The Western Region’s potential is vast, but it can only be unlocked through unity.”
He noted that, “By working together, we can redefine our development narrative, focusing on sustainability, equity, and collective triumph. This collaborative approach will enable us to harness our strengths, address our challenges, and create a brighter future for all”.
The Omanhene of the Gwira Traditional Area in Ghana’s Western Region Awulae Angama Tu Agyan II, urged residents to unite and focus on developing the region.
He emphasized the importance of collective effort from the media, politicians, chiefs, and citizens to uplift the region, highlighting the need for the media to shift from negative reportage to constructive promotion of the region’s growth
Key takeaways from the Omanhene’s message include:
Unity and Collective Effort: The need for residents to put aside their differences and work together towards regional development.
Constructive Media Role: The importance of media shifting from negative reportage to promoting the region’s growth.
Regional Development: The focus on showcasing the best of the Western Region to attract investment and opportunities that benefit the people.
By emphasizing collective effort and constructive media engagement, Awulae Angama Tu Agyan II aims to inspire positive change and development in the Western Region.
“The challenges we face are indeed significant, but with determination and collective effort, we can overcome them. By refocusing our development priorities, fostering collaboration, and engaging all stakeholders, we can unlock the full potential of the Western Region”.
“To achieve this, we must address pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The Western Region, like many other parts of the world, faces challenges like poor infrastructure, limited access to education and healthcare, and environmental degradation.”
“However, by working together, we can build a future where our people thrive, our environment is preserved, and our communities are empowered. This requires a collaborative approach, involving government, civil society, the private sector, and local communities,” the chief noted.
Dr. Richard Gyimah, speaking on behalf of the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, emphasized the importance of leveraging existing frameworks to drive sustainable growth in the Western Region.
Specifically, he highlighted the Western Region Spatial Development Framework, prepared in 2012, and the National Development Planning Commission’s (NDPC) plans as excellent building blocks for achieving this goal.
These frameworks provide a solid foundation for addressing regional challenges and opportunities, including infrastructure development, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
According to him, by building on these existing plans, stakeholders can work together to create a comprehensive and effective regional development framework that meets the unique needs of the Western Region.
As the dialogue ended stakeholders and participants were in agreement that the time for empty words is over, and it’s now time to take concrete action.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
The post Development of Western Region lies in your hands – Regional GJA Chairman tells stakeholders first appeared on 3News.
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