The people of Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern Region are to benefit from the construction of a new astro turf facility following its completion and handover ceremony by the contractors, Wembley Sports Construction last Sunday.
The event attracted a large number of individuals including the Municipal Chief Executive Kojo Ofori-Safo, Member of Parliament of the area who also doubles up as the Minister of Works and Housing, The Hon Samuel Atta Akyea and the Minister of Zongo and Inner-City Development, Dr Mustapha Hamid. The facility which will cater for the football needs of the Zongo Community and the entire Abuakwa state and beyond is expected to help nurture and develop the football skills of the youth in the Community.
In a speech to the indigenes, MCE Sarfo expressed his delight at the provision of the facility and called on all and sundry to ensure that the facility is put to use for the benefit of everyone. He promised to ensure that the facility would be properly maintained and kept in the best of conditions for as along a possible.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Hon Atta Akyea was full of praise for the government of the New Patriotic Party and the decision to build such an edifice in his constituency. He admonished the youth and the leaders to ensure that the facility is put to good use. He also called on the MCE to ensure that the facility is thoroughly maintained as government projects over the years have been reduced to ruins after a few years of construction.
On his part, Zongo Minister Dr Mustapha called on the locals to pay for its usage so that the funds generated can be used to properly maintain the facility.
“This facility though primarily constructed for the Zongo Community is for the use of everyone. We need to maintain it to the highest standards. We are not going to bring money from Accra to maintain it. Anyone who wants to use the facility should pay for it so that we can raise some money to maintain it. You can rent the facility for both Christian and Islamic programs provided you pay for the usage of the facility.”
He further added that there were plans to play a Zongo league to unearth Talent in the constituency as many a talent have emerged from the Zongo Communities throughout the year with the iconic Baba Yara a classic example of such talent