By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The chief of Akyem Sokode Dwaso in the Eastern Region, Barima Dr. Kwabena Awuah Parker I, with the support of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Abuakwa North Municipality, Alhaj Babs Bodinga, and some chiefs in the nearby communities have cut-sod for the construction of a multi-million dollar plastic recycling factory at Sokode Dwaso.
According to Barima Dr Awuah Parker I, the plastic recycling factory, which is his singular effort to support the government in reducing youth unemployment in his area, is expected to provide over 200 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs when completed.
Speaking in an interview with GBCONLINE.COM after the sod-cutting ceremony, Barima Dr Awuah Parker I explained that his decision to establish the factory in his area was to provide sustainable livelihoods to his subjects, saying there are no job opportunities in his area for the teeming graduates coming out of school every year.
“My decision to put up the plastic recycling factory here in Sokode Dwaso is to reduce rural-urban migration as well as to tackle youth unemployment at the community level. This is based on my observation and the broad consultations I have had so far with some captains of industrial.
Many young people have completed school at various levels and are walking around doing nothing. These young ones must be given a life and the only way to achieve that is by providing them jobs which I’m in the process of doing that.
I believe both private individuals and government have a role to play in this process. Government alone cannot do it all by herself, that’s why some of us have taken this initiative to help solve rural-urban migration and youth unemployment,” he retorted.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Mr. Richard Okyere-Fosu, who was one of the guests, was optimistic that the project will go a long way towards addressing rural-urban migration and youth unemployment in the country.
Mr. Okyere-Fosu also expressed admiration for Barima Dr Awuah Parker I’s influential impact on his people and pledged his support to assist him in sustaining his commendable efforts.
Addressing the gathering, the MCE for Abuakwa North, Alhaj Babs Bodinga, expressed his appreciation and that of the government for Barima Dr Awuah Parker I’s personal investment in the welfare of his people.
He, however, cautioned the youth against negative behaviors such as theft and laziness and urged the employees who will be working in the factory once it is operational to do their utmost to sustain its operations and life span for future generations.
The MCE assured that he would provide the necessary support to ensure the completion of the factory when needed.
The Nkosuohene of Kukurantumi, Nana Amaniampong Boateng, on his part, described the establishment of the factory as a blessing and pledged his full support and that of the senior citizens of the community.
He encouraged the youth in the area not to take the opportunities offered to them for granted and urged them to avail themselves at all times when they are called upon.
A member of the Sokode Dwaso Senior Citizens Association, Mr. Paa Wills also expressed gratitude to the members of the association to Barima Dr Awuah Parker I for his constant support and execution of life-changing initiatives for the people and the community.
He is, therefore, calling on other prominent sons and daughters of the area to emulate Barima Dr Awuah Parker I’s kind gesture.
