Accra, July 27, GNA - Mr Appiah-Danquah Kufuor, a Regeneration Expert, has been appointed the first Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Volta Region Development Agency (VRDA).
The appointment was made by the Board of VRDA at its first meeting in Accra on July 16, according to a statement by Nana Soglo Alloh 1V, Acting Secretary of VRDA. on Monday.
The statement said the Board was "delighted to have such an outstanding and accomplished development economist as its first Acting CEO".
In implementing the development plan, the Board intends to provide an opportunity for the people of the Volta Region, in particular the young people, to help set out the economic agenda and priorities through a process of "bottom-up" participatory regeneration agenda.
The statement said the Board also appointed Mamaga Akosua, also known as Cornelia von Wulfing, Ngoryifiaga of Sasadu Traditional Area; Mr Ernest Nyagbe, a public sector management expert; and Mr Victor Chubby Larbi, a business executive, as directors.
The Board is made up of Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Nana Soglo Alloh 1V, Otekple of Likpe Traditional Area and Vice-President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo 1V, Fiaga and President of Afoega Traditional Council, Togbi Kporku III, Dufia of Alakple and Mr Appiah-Danquah Kufuor.
The statement said Mr Kufuor's immediate focus would be "the preparation of an aggressive fund-raising strategy to help raise the needed seed capital and additional funds for the effective implementation of the $250 million Volta Region Economic Development Plan, 2009-2014".
It said Mr Kufuor, who played a pivotal role in putting together the plan, which was the first traditional authority-sponsored regional economic development plan, worked in the United Kingdom for the greater part of his adult life and has many other firsts to his credit.
He was the first Black Chairman of the North-West Association of Economic Development Officers in the UK, the first Black Principal Economic Development Officer for Middleborough Council, and the first Black Principal Regeneration Officer for Knowsley Borough Council (Merseyside), where he was heavily involved in the massive economic regeneration and development of the Merseyside economy.
Mr Kufuor also worked as an economist for the Economic Intelligence Unit at Lancashire County Council and also at Luton Council.
"The Board wishes to encourage the business community, development partners and all key stakeholders to take a close look at the plans of VRDA and join in "Building the Future".
GNA
