Saakrom (ASH), SEPT. 1 The Centre for Rural Development and Organic Farming (CRUDOF) at Saakrom in the Atwima district is to develop a river source at a forest at Apenimadi into a dam. Negotiations for the project between the Centre and the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD) of the University of Science and Technology (UST), Kumasi, have reached an advanced stage. Mr P.K. Barnie, programme leader of the CRUDOF disclosed this when the Atwima District Chief Executive Mr P.Y. Mensah, paid a working visit to the centre at Saakrom as part of his familiarisation tour of the area. He said big dams would be dug and the water treated for distribution through gravity to about 12 communities in the area which suffer acute water problems especially in the dry season. Mr Barnie noted that apart from its domestic use, the dam would also promote the cultivation of food and fruit processing which would offer employment opportunities for the people in the area. He said the center had invented electricity through solar means to harness alternative natural resources and currently being installed on a pilot programme before spreading to the rural areas and educational institutions. Mr Barnie therefore appealed to the Atwima district assembly and other non-governmental organisations (NGO’S) to assist the center to accomplish its objectives support to the center’s programmes and commended them for their initiative and hard work to open up the rural communities.
