Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned a number of projects undertaken by the government through the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) in the Ashanti Region.

At separate ceremonies at Asokore (Asokore Quranic Islamic School), Effiduase (Hamdaniya Islamic School), both in the Sekyere East District and at Bohyen in the Bantama constituency in the Kumasi Metropolis, Vice President Bawumia commissioned furnished classroom blocks, a water system and a Community Sports and Social Centre as part of his two-day visit to the Region.

He was mobbed by supporters and young folks when he commissioned these projects.

Not only has the government implemented a comprehensive development of educational infrastructure to bridge the gap in Zongo communities.

But it has also intervened positively by improving health facilities, sanitation, and human resource development through skills training and educational grants and in improving the ambiance, and visibility in developing communities.

Speaking at Bohyen Abaase, where he commissioned a Community Sports and Social Centre, Bawumia explained that the Zongo Development Fund Act 964 (2017) empowers the Zongo Development Fund to provide basic services and strategic infrastructure in the areas of 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.

“Government remains resolute in its resolve at 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 centers (popularly referred to as Astro Turfs), and several other interventions” he emphasized.

While generally referred to as playing grounds, the Astro turfs also serve as community engagement avenues for numerous programs and activities in addition to providing excellent opportunities for nurturing talented youth of both genders into becoming successful sportsmen and women.

Other Zongo communities that have benefitted from the construction of Astro Turfs are Madina, New Fadama, Kyebi, Tafo, Walewale, Salaga, Akyem Oda, Kwabeng, Agogo, and Dodowa. The rest are: Manhyia (work has just begun), Larabanga, Esikado, Chiraa, Sowutuom, Yeji, Bolga and Dunkwa- on-Ofin.

The MPs for Effiduase Asokore, Hon Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie and Hon Francis Asenso Boakye, expressed gratitude to the Fund for helping to meet the development aspirations of their constituents.

The Nana Addo-Bawumia-led administration has taken it upon itself to widen and broaden its developmental scope by strengthening the educational systems.

He reiterated the zongo development fund has assisted over 300 projects. He, therefore, cautioned the youth to aloof from anti-social activities which deter progress and asked them to rally behind the government.

Source…www.sompaonline.com/Eric Murphy Asare