Echoes Of Assin-South District.

Article by: Joe Effah-Nkyi

Assin south is a steady thriving constituency located in the central region of Ghana. The Assin South District is among the thirteen (13) districts of the Central Region of Ghana. Nsuaem-Kyekyewere is the district capital.
The district is eclipsed by Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira on the West, Abura Asebu Kwamankese District on the South, Asikuma Odoben-Brakwa and Ajumako Enyan-Esiam on the East and Assin central municipality to the Northern border. In general terms and based on empirical evidence, the entire Assin enclave is considered to be one of the largest single districts in Ghana in terms of land mass.
Undoubtedly, writing the history of Trans-Atlantic slave trade would be inconclusive without tracing the originality of its root to Assin but most explicitly Assin Manso. The ultimate climax of Emancipation festivity at Manso where African ancestry from the diaspora yearly congregate to pay both spiritual and physical homage to ancestors is a conspicuous demonstration of the relevance of Assin in its entirety within the annals of the country.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
However, socio-economic development of the entire Assin south district cannot be said to be fairly superlative looking at the rate at which developments continue to evolve in various locations of the country; although the fact that strenuous efforts have been made by successive M.P’s and DCE’s with good intentions of elected Unit assembly committee members and their able Assembly members rallying behind them to support transform this cherished district to an appreciable status cannot be swept under the carpet. Nonetheless, it is really disheartening to note that Assin south has not had its fair share of the needed socio-economic infrastructure and development that are basically required for absolute liberation of the indigenes in spite of the abundance of both human and natural resources.

NATURAL RESOURCES
A swift scan into the district would definitely reveal natural resources that abound within the enclave. It has been discovered that the Bamboo crop which is acclaimed to possess many economic usages globally is so abundant in the district that only few geographical locations in the country could surpass it. Essential household products like simple but highly imported Tooth-picks, scooping ladles, natural combs, locally manufactured Bicycles, tables, chairs and many countless pieces of articles required for utilization in homes and offices could be derived from the wonder crop. Apparently, the crop could be well harnessed and utilized through an effective calculated strategic investment drive that could have collaboration between the District Assembly and the Ministry of Local government and rural development. The benefits, of course, would be immeasurable as the country stands to benefit through exportation which would culminate in foreign exchange earnings. Conversely, it would positively guarantee the much needed employment for the teeming youth to elevate their living standards so they could realize their set vision and aspiration. Indisputably, rural urban migration is likely to be halted when such investment becomes a reality.
Other natural economic crops that yearn to be tapped include oranges which are enormously cultivated by the indigenous dwellers. Indeed, the palm fruit which has much natural potentiality thrives well in the district of the entire 365 days of the year. The Teak tree is one very common crop grown in lesser scale in the district that needs governmental interventions for massive cultivation due to its economic gains.
Ostensibly, the continuous lamentation of the inhabitants’ gives justification to the palpable fact that governments have seemingly relegated the district to the background in terms of provision of social amenities and the much expected infrastructural developments.
The above development is therefore vindicated given that there is not a single well-resourced hospital that could be found within the enclave. The only few government health centers located in the district are poorly resourced although the staff are always determined to discharge their tasks assiduously. I could recall when in the month of February I travelled to the district for a funeral and suffered indisposition. My encounter with the nurses was really marvelous as every attention was given me to ensure rapid recovery.
The considerable land mass of the district with its attendant ever growing population demands that the health centre at Manso be swiftly developed into a full-fledged district hospital to serve the constituent. This would undeniably eradicate the rampant referral cases associated with accessing medical support elsewhere.

EDUCATION
Over the years the inhabitants of Assin south have not enjoyed the maximum comfort with regard to formal education. This is exhibited in the decrepit state of the school’s infrastructure scattered across the district; this phenomenon therefore poses greater challenge to both teaching staff and pupils. It is therefore expected that, serious government intervention is required to bring modernity into the physical educational infrastructure. It must be reiterated that education is the only pathway that could extricate the people from abject poverty and besides bridge the ever widening gap between the have’s and have not’s.
The above notwithstanding, greater populations of the dwellers are of the view that Assin Manso senior high school could be configured to house a college or department of any of the two public universities in the region in tandem with the high school. The potential for such proposal has sufficient merit as the slave enclave in addition to the rich forest zone and the strategic location of the High school with its vast land mass would certainly provide much stimulus to research and learning.

DEPLORABLE NATURE OF ROADS
From time immemorial, the people of the district have suffered indescribable privation and deprivation considering the nature of our road network. Apart from the main highway, virtually all feeder roads become inaccessible especially during heavy downpours. A very classical example is the deplorable nature of Manso-Ochiso-Essiam feeder road which is so strategic and has been on the drawing board of successive administrators for years on end and yet little has been achieved. The tarring of this thoroughfare is likely to bring accessibility and flexibility to passengers as well as vehicles that operate from the district. Embarking upon such action would unquestionably truncate the distance dimension for motorists shuttling between the district through Agona Swedru using that stretch of the road. Of course, looking at the above indicated circumstances, we believe that the interventions of the central government in collaboration with the District Assembly could ‘turn the scales’ for positive outcomes.
In total summation, there is the urgent need to put in strategic initiatives that could sustain the economic viability of the district. This would empower the citizens to come out of their present despicable predicament. Indeed, the operationalization of NGO’s and possibly IGO’s within the district could boost the significant efforts being made by government and individuals which would consequently inure to the benefit of the entire district and the nation.

Joe effah-nkyi,
CEO-Logistics control ltd.
Box ce 12281, Tema.
+233-244250922
E-mail: [email protected]