John Kumah
The Boankra Inland Port project, which has stalled for about 19 years, will soon see the light of day to create the opportunities for the employment of more youth in its catchment area, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurial and Innovation Programme (NEIP), John Kumah.
Mr Kumah says he is passionate about ensuring that the project resumes to ease the high level of youth unemployment in the area.
The Boankra Inland Port was expected to be a transformational project for the people of Boankra, in the Ashanti Region and the nation at large.
However, after about 19 years since the sod was cut, the project has stalled with just a few primary structures on the 400-acre land earmarked for the project.
However, Mr Kumah, who is the governing New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for the Ejisu constituency, has expressed optimism that works on the project will soon begin. He stressed that many young people in the area are in need of jobs and the project will be a major employment booster when it comes to life.
Developing sports talents
Mr Kuma in a radio interview over the weekend said he is also passionate about identifying and developing football talents in the area.
“Ejisu is one area with young talents, especially youth who are very interested in football. So, we are setting out, hopefully by early next year, to begin to select young talents, especially those who are interested in football, and then begin to groom them to fit into the various national teams and assist them with the necessary support that they need, both technical and on welfare issues,” he said.
“Assuming Ejisu gives me 12 years that they’ve given to everybody, I want to be able to say that in my term of office I was able to groom five or ten people into the national team from Ejisu. It is one of the key pillars or measures of success I want to look up to,” he added.
As part of that vision, he stated, there are plans in place to upgrade football pitches in the area to appreciable standards.
“I will work with the local people to refurbish the pitches. Even if we cannot build a stadium, it will be prudent for us to grass them so that the youth can play and enjoy the football,” he said.
Call for support
He has therefore pleaded with the people in the constituency, especially the youth, to support his parliamentary bid as he has a lot in stock to better their lives.
“It is just a matter of changing times, and leadership has its own timing. This is the best time for a change for a more young and dynamic individual like John Kumah to also come and lead so that they (constituents) can also experience the new ideas that I am bringing on board… Many of them have completed school; they are looking for jobs; there are no jobs. Meanwhile, they know that Ejisu has the potential to give them jobs,” he said.
