The Jomoro Development Conference has adopted a 10-point communique aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of the Jomoro Municipality in the Western Region.
Mr Stephen Blay, Convener of the Conference, who read the communique at Half-Assini, said advocacy for the Petroleum Hub Development Project remained a key priority for transforming the area’s economic fortunes.
He said the Conference was committed to promoting non-partisan and inclusive development devoid of insinuations, divisions, and personal vendettas.
Mr Blay said the Conference would pursue a measurable five-, 10-, and 20-year development plan covering infrastructure, agriculture, education, commerce, industry, tourism, youth empowerment, and investment under a proposed Jomoro Development Charter.
He said an education scholarship and youth enterprise programme would be established to support studies in Nzema, science, agriculture, education, medicine, engineering, technology, and youth development.
The communique also proposed establishing a Jomoro Agro-Industrial Corridor to connect farmers to processing, storage, transportation, and marketing opportunities, with a focus on cassava, oil palm, plantains, vegetables, fishing, and livestock production.
Mr Blay said a Jomoro Blue Economy Initiative would promote modern fisheries, aquaculture, fish processing, research, and environmental protection to strengthen the area’s coastal economy.
The communique further stated that heritage, culture, and tourism would be leveraged as drivers of economic growth through the creation of a Historical and Cultural Commission to document Nzema oral traditions, migration history, artefacts, and other cultural sites.
It said a coordinated tourism development strategy would be pursued to maximise the area’s cultural and historical assets.
On land, environment, and traditional authority, the communique emphasised the integration of traditional rulers into land protection, cultural and environmental stewardship, youth development, investment promotion, and conflict resolution initiatives.
It also proposed a strategic framework to assess the economic value of Jomoro’s natural resources and facilitate the resolution of chieftaincy disputes that have hindered development efforts.
Mr Blay said a Jomoro Investment and Development Fund would be established in collaboration with traditional authorities and the Nzema Diasporan Development Network to mobilise resources for sustainable development and strategic partnerships.
He said the Conference also proposed an Accountability and Expertise Architecture, comprising a Jomoro Council of Professionals and Eminent Members, to spearhead the formation of a Jomoro Development Forum.
The Forum, together with key stakeholders, would organise periodic development conferences to monitor and ensure the implementation of decisions taken at the Conference.
