The people of Saltpond have been challenged to put aside political and personal differences and unite behind a common development agenda to transform the historic community into a centre of opportunity for its people, particularly the youth.
The call was made at the second Saltpond Homecoming and Ayerye Festival, organised on the theme: “Building Saltpond Together: From Homecoming to Sustainable Development,” last Saturday.
The festival brought together traditional leaders, government representatives, residents and indegines of Saltpond home and abroad to celebrate the town's heritage and discuss its development.
The Founder of the Mfantseman Saltpond Development Alliance (MSDA), Ernest De-Graft Egyir, said the homecoming was conceived not merely as a celebration but as a platform to mobilise people and resources for development.
He said the MSDA had already contributed to addressing water challenges at the Saltpond Hospital and was now focusing on the establishment of a Saltpond Centre of Excellence.
According to him, the proposed centre would served as a recreational, tourism, educational and youth resource facility, providing space for learning, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and the preservation of the town's heritage.
“It is not simply a building. It is an investment in human capital and in the future of Saltpond,” he said.
He announced that MSDA was targeting Gh¢500,000 for its next development project, adding that three chief executive officers (CEOs) have already contributed Gh¢300,000 towards the target.
Sanitation drive
He also announced plans to construct at least one toilet facility in each electoral area of Saltpond, together with improved water facilities, to address what he described as unacceptable sanitation conditions in the town.
He said the initiative formed part of efforts to improve the quality of life of residents and reduce diseases associated with poor sanitation.
Mr Egyir appealed for the restoration of the Odambea Festival to its traditional August period, saying its revival would strengthen the cultural identity and development of the Nkusukum Traditional Area.
He also renewed an appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to consider returning the celebration of National Founders’ Day to Saltpond, citing the town’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
Youth must return home
The MP for Mfantseman, Ebenezer Prince Arhin, said the homecoming provided an opportunity for people who have left the community in search of jobs and better opportunities to reconnect with their roots and contribute to local development.
He commended the MSDA for its interventions and urged stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives that benefited the community.
The Paramount Chief of the Abola Traditional Area and President of the Abola Traditional Council, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, special guest at the festival urged the youth to acquire education and skills and return home to contribute to the development of Saltpond.
He cautioned them against drugs, laziness and disrespect, saying the future of the community depended on the choices they made.
The Chief of Saltpond-Bakado and Twafohen of the Nkusukum Traditional Area, Nana Gyan Akwandah VII, called for unity among the people.
Nana Okogyeman Okese Essandoh IX, the Omanhen of Nkusukum Traditional Area said the Odambea Festival would be celebrated in October this year to mark its 50th anniversary since its relocation from Yamoransa.
He acknowledged concerns surrounding the change in the festival’s date and assured the people that efforts would be made to resolve the matter.
