The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has commissioned projects undertaken by the government through the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) in the Ashanti Region.
The Zongo Development Fund is a frontline agency and vehicle through which the government seeks to ensure the realisation of the development objectives relating to Zongo communities.
Last week Tuesday, the Vice President Bawumia commissioned furnished classroom blocks, a water system, and a Community Sports and Social Centre at separate ceremonies at Asokore as part of his two-day visit to the Ashanti Region.
He said the establishment of the Fund, which was dedicated to Zongo communities was indisputably unprecedented, since a substantial portion of the over 300 projects undertaken by the ZDF across the country could be found in the Ashanti Region.
“The government remains resolute in bridging the gap between Zongos and other communities in Ghana. The past four years have witnessed remarkable progress under the Zongo Development Fund, in the provision of potable drinking water, community roads, ultra-modern basic school infrastructure, ICT labs, Community Sports Centres, popularly referred to as Astro Turfs, and several other interventions,” he emphasised.
“Indeed, since Ghana attained independence, no budget has ever been deliberately allocated for the development of Zongo communities. Zongo communities are indispensable stakeholders in our determination to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive development in Ghana,” Dr.
Bawumia declared at the commissioning ceremonies.
Speaking at Bantama, where he commissioned a Community Sports and Social Centre, Vice President Bawumia explained that the Zongo Development Fund Act 964 (2017) empowers the Zongo Development Fund to provide basic services and strategic infrastructure in health, education and sanitation; promote entrepreneurship and skills development; provide social protection for the poor and vulnerable; enhance economic development, peace and security, and promote tourism, arts, culture and tradition.
While generally referred to as playing grounds, the Astro Turfs also serves as community engagement avenue for numerous programmes and activities in addition to providing excellent opportunities for nurturing talented youth of both genders into becoming successful sportsmen and women.
