AUSTRALIA COMMENDS PEOPLE OF LOWER AXIM (PAGE 19, SEPT 25, 2010)

Australia has congratulated the chiefs and people of the Lower Axim Traditional Area on the celebration of this year’s annual Kumdum festival in the Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region.
The Australian High Commissioner in Accra, Mr William Billy Williams, commended the chiefs and people of the area at a colourful durbar, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, members of Parliament, chiefs from other paramount areas as well as Nzema Citizens home and abroad.
Mr Williams was honoured by the Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, with the honorary chieftaincy title Nana Kwame Kyi II, in recognition of Australia’s support for development projects in the traditional area.
Mr Williams said over the years, Australia had supported a number of development projects, including financial assistance to the Axim Girls Senior High School to connect water and electricity to the school.
“That aside, the Australian High Commission provided 15 computers and accessories to the school’s ICT laboratory in July 2008 to enhance our move towards information technology super highway,” he said.
He referred to the donation to Asempanaye in the Jomoro District, tackling sanitation at New Takoradi and supporting female hygiene and cassava processing projects at Omanpe in the Aowin-Suaman District and said Australia would continue to work with Ghana, which has proven to be a strong partner for development.
Mr Williams said Australia had a special relationship with the Western Region of Ghana and that mining experts from his country would continue to initiate a number of development projects in communities in the region.
The Nzema Gold Mines operated by Adamus Resources, an Australian mining company, with the support from the High Commission, has sponsored two capacity-building programmes for more than 108 youth from Ellembelle District and Nzema East Municipality.
Awulae Attibrukusu lauded the main objective of the initiative, which is providing employable skills to the youth as a means of reducing poverty in the local economy.