The two vessels are a ferry known as the MV Damen 1 and a water bus, MV Akpini Princess.
For almost a decade now, the ferry that plies between the two areas on the Volta Lake had broken down, making the movement of people and goods difficult.
The two vessels are, therefore, meant to improve transportation on the Volta Lake.
The provision of the ferry is a fulfilment of a promise made by the government when the chiefs and people of the Afram Plains made the request two years ago.
While MV Damen will ply between Kpando and Agordeke and replace the MV Fourth Republic which sank at Akosombo Port in August 2009, MV Akpini Princess will serve the Ntoaboma-Bridge Ano crossing, whose ferry sank recently.
More ferries to be allocated
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama said the Makango-Yeji and Dambai portions of the lake would also be allocated a ferry each to facilitate the easy movement of goods and people.
He expressed the hope that the two vessels would solve the transport needs of the beneficiary communities and improve their livelihood.
Tractor services
President Mahama also stated that the government had plans to establish a one-stop tractor plant with all the needed facilities to support farmers in the Afram Plains.
He noted that some farmers could not afford the tractors so such people would be made to register with the tractor plant and use its services for a fee.
Ride to Kpando Torkor
The President and his delegation had the first ride on MV Damen from the Afram Plains across the Volta Lake to Kpando Torkor.
The journey took one-and-half hours and the delegation finally arrived at Kpando Torkor at almost midnight to hand over the vessel. The chiefs and people, however, waited to welcome the new ferry and their joy was profound.
The Chief of Obomeng Kwahu, Nana Effah Pinamang, had earlier bemoaned the lack of facilities in the area and appealed to the government to do more to promote the development of Kwahu Afram Plains.
Source: graphic
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