Western Region Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has underscored the urgent need for well-to-do indigenes of the Region to make a conscious effort to begin to own some of the assets used in the exploitation and production of the vast natural resources bequeathed to the Region.
“We are blessed with many natural resources. That is not enough. Who are those who own the companies used to extract and develop these natural resources. Are they from the region or they are foreigners. How do we talk about local benefits, when we do not own the production assets.”
He continued: “Imagine the immense benefits to the region if majority of the companies operating in the oil and gas as well as the mining sectors are owned by business men and women from the region.”
Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah gave the charge when he opened a four-day development forum at Busia in the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly in the Western Region.
The Western Region Development Forum was organised by the Nana Kobina Nketsiah IV Trust Fund and was on the theme ‘Driving inclusive and equitable development in the Western Region; a call to action’.
He also made a call on Universities and Technical schools in the Region to develop the necessary research and cutting edge technologies for use in the extractive sector stressing that “many opportunities remain untapped”.
“This will require that we also make the youth in this region another critical focus in all over deliberations. How do we ensure that they have been equipped with the right capacity and resources to participate in the sector.”
The regional minister entreated organisers of the forum to ensure that, “this will not become a mere talk shop but suggestions here will find expression in the manifestos of all the major political parties in the country.”
To show his commitment to the process, “I’ve brought my technical men and they will be here for the four days so that they will make sure that whatever conclusions that we get as we put together the composite regional development plan we will include some of the suggestions we will arrive at here to serve as the fine blueprint for the new western region development agenda.”
This will not be the first time the Western Region is organising a development forum.
One of such engagements gave the energy for the Region to demand for a 10 percent of the share of oil revenue. That did not materialise.
However the organisers – Nana Kobina Nketsia IV Trust Fund – are confident the forum will start the needed conversation for changes to the development paradigm of the region.