ESSIPON, SMALL BUT BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY .... (Page 21)

Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Essipon

There is a saying that small is beautiful and very attractive; such a pronouncement can easily be associated with Essipun, one of the host communities of Ghana 2008.
Even though the two major development projects - good road and the location of the stadium - took place at different times, it has led to the complete transformation of the town from a once rural community into a township, and now one of the most beautiful parts of the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
On the Internet, a Google search for the Essipun community would give searchers more than 700 items that have something to say or do about the town, which is now “the gate way to the Western Region”.
Even though small in size, Essipun currently has one of the best structures, a modern stadium. Due to its closeness to the main Accra-Takoradi trunk road, some estate developers rushed to acquire lands to develop into dwelling units or hospitality facilities when the construction of the stadium started.
They abandoned the idea and left after the first phase of the project because, they did not hope to see the town coming alive one day. Immediately after the construction of the road through the town, followed by the stadium, all those who had acquired land in the area returned with much verve.
Today, the story of the Essipun community would never be the same after the tournament. Those investors who have the quest to establish hotels and guest houses in the Twin-City of Sekondi/Takoradi will now consider Essipun as their first choice before any other community.
The town is completely removed from the noise and the busy lifestyle associated with the industrial hub of the Western Regional capital. It is very interesting and refreshing to wake up naturally without any hustle to catch the bus to Sekondi or Takoradi, driving on a smooth road.
The construction of the first class road through the town has made it the shortest route to Cape Coast and Accra and most drivers who wish to avoid the traffic from West Tanorkrom until they reach the number nine traffic light make use of the Essipun route.
At present, those who are getting ready to provide one service or the other to those visitors who will patronise the Ghana 2008 are ready with the needed social amenities for the comfort of the visitors.
Through the instrumentality of the chief of the town, one of the mining companies is providing the town with modern toilet facilities to make life more comfortable for the people and those who will be vending, and might not be able to provide such facilities for their customers.
There is no doubt that the town during the tournament will provide a clear picture of what the people should expect when they enter Sekondi or Takoradi, even though Sekondi does not have much to showcase as most of its historic buildings have been left at the mercy of the weather.
Mali, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivore and Benin are all within West Africa and we share many things in common, therefore, it would have been an added advantage for us to still have the building of the first West African Bank, the various historical buildings, forts and castles in the region rehabilitated, with the stories to tell the people when they come but we would be losing out in that area.