HELP DEVELOP OSEIKOJOKROM — NANA OSEI (PAGE 42, DEC 2, 2010)

THE Chief of Oseikojokrom in the Bia District in the Western Region, Nana Osei Kojo, has called on the government to give the border town a facelift since many people visit it as a tourist destination.
He said even though schoolchildren and United Nations peace keepers from Cote d’lvoire usually visited the town for excursion or as tourists, the roads of the town and the local market did not befit the status of the town.
Nana Osei made the call when the Western Regional Minister, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, visited the town as part of a four-day official working visit to the Bia District.
Nana Osei stressed the need for the government to extend water and electricity supplies to the newly developing parts of the town.
Mr Aidoo advised the chiefs in the area to make a layout for the orderly development of the town.
He also urged them to assist the government to curb the smuggling of cocoa to neighbouring Cote d’lvoire.
The regional minister later addressed security personnel at the Oseikojokrom Border Post and urged them to be vigilant by reporting all suspicious characters and activities to the National Security Council for prompt action, to ensure that the sovereignty of the nation was secured.
He said last year, everyone was embarrassed by the cocoa smuggling activities which was so alarming in the region, particularly at Elubo, Ahimakrom, Oseikojokrom, Enchi and Dadieso.
The Base Commander of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Chief Collector D.Y. Biyam, said the security personnel at the Border Post were enjoying stable and peaceful environment, and co-operation from other security personnel of the Cote d’lvoire side of the border.
He said smuggling of cocoa was under control, and added that there was virtually no smuggling at the border.
Mr Biyam said the terrible nature of the road network in the area had become disincentive to people who wanted to do business at the border.