The Lawra Municipal Assembly says it had chalked successes in the implementation of the first phase of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project. Mr Maurice Ziem, the Lawra Municipal Information Officer, said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Lawra on the status of the project in the municipality. He indicated that the success marked a significant step towards reinforcing social cohesion and economic development in the municipality. He mentioned some of the projects to include a kindergarten block at Mettor Buo, a community-based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compound with a toilet facility and mechanised borehole at Eremon Danko, Lawra community library, Babile goats market road, and Kuli primary school block and toilet facility. He said while some of the sub-projects were completed, others were nearing completion and expressed hope that they would soon be completed and used. The SOCO is a five-year project funded by the World Bank with the collabora tive efforts of four Gulf of Guinea nations - Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Cote d'Ivoire to promote social cohesion and socio-economic development of the people. Mr Ziem told the GNA that the project's implementation committee had increased its supervision to ensure it achieved its intended purpose. On the project's impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of the people, the ISD officer indicated that the people in the municipality had been engaged in the project execution. On his part, Mr Jacob Dery, the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) pledged his commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the SOCO project. He said that was because of its potential to enhance the economic status of the people and would deter young people from engaging in activities that could mar the peace of the municipality, the region, and the nation in general. 'Providing productive opportunities for young people is crucial to preventing them from being lured into activities that threaten community harmony and n ational sovereignty,' the MCE said. Mr Dery gave the assurance that he would do everything possible to ensure the development of the municipality as the welfare of the people was paramount to him. Source: Ghana News Agency