The Chief of Sogakope , Togbe Atsuga Sogah II, in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region, has unveiled a GH¢500,000 Barrier Development Project (BDP) at Sogakope to promote the economic activities of hawkers, and also develop tourism along the Volta Lake.
It is to promote and make Sogakope a preferred tourism and business destination in the Africa sub-region.
The unveiling coincided with the launch of the 4th Anniversary celebration of ascension of Togbe Sogah onto the stool, which would be celebrated on September 23rd, 2023 at Sogakope. It was also to raise funds towards the project and was attended by prominent chiefs and queenmothers from the Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra regions.
Togbe Sogah explained that the economic and tourism promotion project at the barrier at Sogakope, would include the building of a multi-purpose shed for hawkers with modern toilet facilities to provide a safe business environment for women, who spent the day selling in the scorching sun.
According to Togbe Sogah, as part of the Barrier Development Project, long sheds would be built along the road at the barrier with modern seating facilities for the traders and passengers in transit, who would buy food to eat while their vehicles were checked by the security agents.
He said there would also be toilet and urinal facilities for traders and passengers, adding that Sogakope was located on an international road, therefore, the project would be designed to meet international standard, while putting an end to the situation where people openly defecate along the shore of the Volta Lake.
Togbe Sogah stressed that the project would be executed in collaboration with the South Tongu District Assembly (STDA) to ensure that it was in line with the total development agenda of the assembly, adding that hotel owners would be involved in promoting tourism that would make Sogakope a number one tourism destination in the Africa sub-region.
Togbe, who is also a Divisional Chief of the Fievie Traditional Area, said the GH¢500,000 project would have part of it invested in the construction of a storm drainage systems in the town to connect to the Volta Lake to prevent flooding in the future, including the Volta Regional capital, Ho.
He said efforts were being made to promote commercial farming in the area, and announced that he had invited investors from Swaziland and South Africa to explore opportunities in rice cultivation in particular, not only to provide adequate rice for local consumption.
He further said it would also help in job creation for the teeming unemployed youth in the Fievie Traditional Area, and the Volta Region in general.
The Chief, therefore, appealed to community development non-governmental organisations (NGOs), institutions, groups and individuals to contribute meaningfully to support the project with money or materials.
He admitted that even though the government had the duty to provide the developmental needs of the people, it was becoming clear that it could not do it alone, therefore, chiefs needed to initiate projects and mobilise adequate funds to complete them.
Togbe Sogah said in order to promote development activities in the area, the Sogakope Development Foundation and the Sogakope Ladies Association (SLA) were formed to be responsible for dealing with issues relating to challenges confronting the growth and development of women, with the Okada Riders Association to promote its activities in the area.
The Aburi Kyidomhenmaa and Brukuase Ohemaa, Awo Kyekyeh, who launched the 4th Anniversary, which was sponsored by the Doza Group of Companies, commended the Chief for his development agenda within the four years of occupying the throne, and wish him success.
