Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Essipon
There is a mad rush by landowners at Essipun, in the Western Region, which is one of the host communities of the Ghana 2008 tournament, to develop their land before the commencement of the tournament.
Those who did not have land in the area are rushing to grab some space before prices escalate in a crude oil fashion in the “Essipun world market”.
Plots of land everywhere at Essipun, especially those along the main road are under massive development like the slogan of the big sponsor of the tournament.
Such developments have turned into joy for people in the community who now say the town should be referred to as the “Gateway to the Western Region”.
According to them, Essipun was not recognised in the past. “Some referred to the community as a village. We took it in good faith, but the zeal being demonstrated by the land developers says it all”, members of the community said.
“We have a first class road through the community; we are a lovely, welcoming people. What else could people be looking for in a modern settlement like Essipun?” one elder said enthusiastically.
New houses, stores, drinking spots and other recreational facilities have been constructed at Essipun over the past few months in readiness for the sports fans from the four nations that would be trooping to the community to cheer their countries to victory.
When one drives through Essipun one cannot fail but notice the feverish preparations going on for the big game, and there is no doubt that after the tournament the community would change from a small one into a mini city.
In the past the only thing that kept the community going and gave it some form of recognition was the construction of the first class road that links Sekondi with the Regimanuel Estates which are also far from the real settlement.
At present many new structures have sprung up, with the community agog with business as people keep struggling to get some spot within the Essipun community to mount their structures.
The Chief of Essipun, Nana Kofi Abuna V, has also embarked on various activities that would ensure that the community does not only host the tournament but also welcomes visitors with the pure Essipun brand of Ghanaian hospitality that would leave a lasting impression on the teeming supporters.
Asked how the tournament had transformed the community thus far, Nana Kofi Abuna said when the road to the region was moved through Kojokrom, “the community was classified as a village.” She added that those who had parcels of land did not even want to develop them, “but now the story is different. The structures that are springing up everywere some of which are near completion as well as the massive construction works going on are evidence of what to expect after the tournament.
“We are happy and enchanted that the tournament is doing all this to the community. The first port of call is the community and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the people relate to the visitors in a way that would not be to our disadvantage” the chief said.
The chief added that one of the problems the community faced was overgrown grass on the shoulders of the road and the location of the community toilet.
“Workers of the Ghana Highway Authority used to clear the weeds for us but for some time now they have not been doing it. Therefore, I have to look for people to clear it and they are about to do it.
“As the father and the mother of the community, my next line of action is to embark on a serious HIV/AIDS educational drive for both young and old, male and female, to ensure that the community is protected.
“We are grateful for the opportunities that have brought life to the community. At the regional level, we are the ‘Gateway to the Western Region’. I can assure you of that,” Nana Kofi Abuna cheerfully said.
But one interesting thing is that the toilet facility for the community has been constructed along the road, which gives very bad odour during the day.
That aside, the area is still being used by the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly as a human waste dump site.
At the moment, work on the portion of the road between Essipun and Enye Nsiah has begun. When completed it would make travelling to and from Accra through Essipun to Sekondi Takoradi very easy.
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