OBENG YAW, E/R- The newly installed Queen Mother of Obeng Yaw, a community near Adeiso in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region, has expressed concern over the numerous challenges hindering the community’s growth and development.
Speaking in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the installation ceremony of the new Chief and Queen Mother, Awo Kwaafi identified youth unemployment, teenage pregnancy, inadequate educational infrastructure, and the lack of healthcare facilities as some of the pressing issues confronting the community.
According to her, creating employment opportunities for the youth remains one of her top priorities, noting that the absence of basic social amenities has contributed to rising social vices among some young people.
The Queen Mother also pledged to intensify public education, particularly among adolescent girls, on the importance of abstinence and responsible decision-making to help reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the area.
On education, she announced plans to establish a kindergarten in the community to spare young children the risk of travelling by motorcycle (okada) to the district capital to access early childhood education.
She further described the lack of a health facility in Obeng Yaw as a major setback to the community’s development and assured residents that efforts would be made to secure a healthcare centre to improve access to quality medical services.
Meanwhile, the newly installed Chief of Obeng Yaw, Nana Obeng Yaw III, pledged to unite the people and work with all stakeholders to accelerate the development of the community.
He appealed to the government to resume work on the abandoned Agenda 111 hospital project, stressing that its completion would significantly improve healthcare delivery for residents of the district.
The Chief also expressed concern over the poor condition of the community’s only Junior High School, describing the situation as alarming and called on the Upper West Akyem District Assembly to intervene urgently.
The newly installed traditional leaders say they are committed to working together to address the community’s developmental challenges and improve the living conditions of residents.
