Construction has started on the building of an 8.5-meter cells box culvert bridge with associated road works at Teleku-Bokazo for the benefit of the people of Teleku-Bokazo and Anwia in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region. The bridge is expected to replace the narrow and dilapidated footbridge, as well as provide access for vehicular and human traffic and will link the old town and new settlements. The bridge was funded by Anwia/Teleku-Bokazo Trust Fund at the cost of ¢735,000 with a completion date set for December 2020. Currently, the asphalted road from the market to and from the old town ends at a tributary, that separates the old town from the new resettlement site and commuters have to cover the rest of the distance on foot.
Projects
At a sod cutting ceremony, the Chief of Teleku-Bokazo, Nana Afful Kwaw II said the project was being financed by interest accrued on Anwia/Teleku-Bokazo Trust Fund established in 2013. “We are not relying on central government, but on the interest accrued on the investment fund to finance some of our immediate needs for the benefit of our people,” he said The Chief of Teleku-Bokazo further indicated that, “Through the trust, we have so far funded tangible projects like the community water systems in a partnership with SafeWater Network, rehabilitated the Anwia JHS and Primary School and offered scholarships to needy but brilliant students to pursue tertiary education in the two communities. “We are currently planning to consider those who want to go into vocational and other apprenticeship trainings under the scholarship.”
Agreed $10-million
The chairman of the Trust Fund, Mr. Mark Addo said the fund, started with an initial receipt of first tranche of $2.5-million and $5-million respectively (amounting to $7.5million) out of an agreed $10-million. The $7.5 million which was received was invested and currently valued at more than ¢50-million. He said it was part of the accruing interest that was being used to finance development projects. Mr. Addo stated that the Anwia/Teleku-Bokazo Trust Fund was established as a result of the permit conditions issued by Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA) to the mining company, Adamus Resources Limited (ARL) during the construction of the gold mine operations in 2011. The rationale behind the setting up of the fund was to ensure that aside from the company’s mandatory reclamation obligation after the mining activities; the community will have something tangible to point to after the mine life. Mr. Addo explained that Adamus Resources is still yet to pay final $2.5-million upon completion of mining of the pit in the area.
Intergenerational fund
Mr. Addo also said this was an intergenerational fund that uses earned interest on the invested capital to finance community development projects and the fund was considering providing assistance to young people interested in agricultural ventures to learn how to learn greenhouse vegetable production to meet the demands of hotels, mines and other auxiliary companies in the area. The Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Tradtional Area, Awulae Amihere Kpanyile III commended the management of the fund for sustaining the value of the Trust Fund and for supporting the interest the people.
Assembly grateful
The District Chief Executive, Mr. Kwesi Bonzo, commended the effort of the Trust Fund in providing water systems, educational support, and construction the bridge for the community of Teleku-Bokazo. He pledged the District Assembly’s support to all projects embarked by the Trust Fund. The community members also commended the management of the trust fund for the initiatives.
