The government, through the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), has commissioned and handed over an Astroturf pitch to the Tarkwa – Nsuaem constituency.
The project forms part of the vision of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to provide each constituency with a modern multi-purpose sports facility.
The commissioning took place over the weekend, and was attended by some government officials and traditional leaders. Present were the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, George Mireku Duker; the Municipal Chief Executive, Benjamin Kessie; the Queen mother of Apinto Divisional Council, Nana Abena Boaduwaa II, and a host of former national football stars.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of CODA, Mona Gertrude Effah, a deputy CEO, said several Astroturf projects had been constructed in all six regions within the coastal zone under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP).
According to her, IPEP is one of the government policies under the Akufo-Addo administration that allocates $1 million to each constituency for special infrastructure projects and social interventions.
“Projects are determined through stakeholder engagement and bottom-up needs assessment process. CODA leads the implementation of IPEP in 109 constituencies in the six regions that make up the Coastal Development Zone,” she noted.
The facility
The Deputy CEO said the provision of the facility is in fulfilment of the Akufo-Addo government’s promise to create an avenue to help unearth and develop the hidden talents of young people.
She further noted that the spread of astroturfs within communities across the country would not only rekindle interest in sports activities and help unearth more talents, but would also help promote fitness and create economic wealth in terms of revenue mobilisation.
She stressed that promoting fitness should be an essential part of Ghana’s healthcare delivery system, and therefore tasked the MCE to make good use of the facility to improve the physical health and wellbeing of the people through recreational activities.
“’The remarkable spread of astroturfs around the country in six years under the government of President Akufo-Addo is a clear departure of what pertained before NPP took office in 2017. Prior to 2017, there were only two public astroturfs in the entire country. In six years, government has moved from twovto over 50. This, without any shred of doubt, is impressive, and government is committed to construct more to ensure more communities benefit,” she added.
Appreciation
The MCE for Tarkwa- Nsuaem, Benjamin Kessie, thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the creation of the Development Authorities, especially CODA.
According to him, CODA is bridging several developmental gaps through the construction of school blocks, drainages, health facilities, roads, among others.
Mr Kessie pledged the Assembly’s commitment and support to ensuring that the facility is put to good use as well as putting in place an effective maintenance plan.
