The Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) has held its first expanded council meeting for this year to discuss issues on growth and development of the region.   Held in Takoradi, the meeting was in fulfilment of a statutory obligation provided under Section 191 (1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), that mandates Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs) to hold at least two meetings in a year to deliberate and find solutions confronting their regions.    It was attended by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, presiding members and other key officials of the various Assemblies in the Western Region.   Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, speaking at the opening of the meeting, said though the region faced challenges, the WRCC remained committed to addressing them through collaboration with state and non-state actors to help bring relief and respite to the people.   On some of the key events and activities for the first half of the year under r eview, he mentioned that as part of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's working visit to the region, he cut the sod for the construction of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Training Centre, on Friday May 3, 2024, at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa.  The President also officially commissioned the new operational headquarters of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), in Takoradi, on Thursday, August 1, 2024.   Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, commissioned the first phase of the rebuilding of the Appiatse community, during which 124 housing units were handed over to some of the victims of the Appiatse explosion disaster.  On security, Mr. Darko-Mensah said the Region continued to enjoy relative peace, with no cause for fear and panic.  'It is heart-warming to note that intensification of security patrols brought some relief to residents of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area but nevertheless, vigilance and personal security on the part of every citizen is required to ensure safety,' he stated.   On agriculture, he mentioned that government's pro-agriculture interventions were steadily ongoing and yielding positive results in the region.   He said the Regional Department of Agriculture was currently implementing the E-Extension, Rearing for Food and Jobs, and the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase Two programmes as part of effort to improve upon food security in the region and the country in general.   For education, the Minister said the Western Region had benefitted from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme where STEM centres have been built in Fijai Senior High School and Ghana Secondary Technical School.    He said the two centres would be resourced with computers, smart boards and other necessary equipment to facilitate the STEM programme in the Region.  On health, Mr. Darko-Mensah said the Regional Health Directorate had made significant strides in ensuring the well-being of the people through some strateg ic interventions and policies.   On Green Ghana Day, he stated that the WRCC in collaboration with the Forestry Commission supervised the planting of 250,000 trees across the 14 districts in the region.   The Minister spoke on other issues including sanitation, sports and festivals, and the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) among others.    On challenges, he said chieftaincy disputes, illegal mining activities, poor road network, youth unemployment, inadequate liquid and solid waste management facilities were some of the major issues confronting the region.   Mr. Darko-Mensah, therefore, called on the MMDAS to continue supporting the WRCC to implement sustainable development policies to help achieve the intended positive outcomes in the citizenry's lives.   'Honourable Members, I wish to remind all of us that Ghana at 67 is all about taking pride in our achievements and gains. Ensuring a peaceful election come December 2024 is an additional gain that we can take pride in, and so we should resol ve to play our part towards a peaceful Election 2024,' he advised.   Participants at the meeting took turns to highlight some of the development challenges in their respective districts for action at the Council level.   Source: Ghana News Agency