The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor George K. T. Oduro said the Central region continues to remain poor because it has been neglected by its natives.

He said the case of some educated natives migrating to the other regions of the country to work resulting in their development is worrying.

According to him, some of the high performing institutions in the other regions are manned by natives of Central region to the detriment of their land.

Also, he noted the absence of manufacturing industries in the region has also worsened the poverty situation of the area.

Speaking on the Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) as part of the launch of Joy Ballot Box in Cape Coast, Prof. Oduro said despite being home to stellar educational institutions and tourist sites, the region continues to grow steeper into poverty.

The Central region is the fourth poorest regions in the country after the Upper East (UER), Upper West (UWR), and Northern Region (NR) which are first, second and third poorest regions respectively.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said “By many indicators, these regions are the poorest in Ghana and are indeed comparable in poverty to some of the poorest countries in the world.”

Prof. Oduro said if the many policies designed to help the Central region are not backed by a commitment to implement, the region will continue to suffer.

He advised natives to prioritize working in the region after their studies to help the region.

Senior Research Assistant of the Center for Gender Development and Research Referral of UCC, Mrs. Pearl Okrah said her outfit is helping natives to prioritize education and pursue it to the highest level.