Chiefs in the Tain Traditional Area have hailed President Akufo-Addo's flagship educational intervention, free SHS.

The chiefs said the program has had a significant impact on the lives of both students and parents in the community.

At a durbar in Nsawkaw, a community in the traditional area Thursday, the Chiefs said free SHS has made it possible for their children to access secondary education.

"The people of Tain are so grateful for your free SHS. Today, most of our people are getting free education and that will help us," Nsawkaw Chief Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodu Ampem III, who spoke on behalf of the Tain Chiefs said.

He added that, the program has a high tendency of transforming poor and marginalised communities in the area.

"It will help to change the socio economic structure of our district," he said.

While commending the Akufo-Addo led government for its educational intervention, the Chiefs urged President Akufo-Addo to continue to do more to bridge the developmental gap between various communities and regions in the country, especially theirs.

"We are part of the marginalised; very poor, low income. So then, every effort that the government will undertake to help us is very critical."

"Your programs should be geared towards alleviating poverty in the poor communities like Tain."

The Chiefs acknowledged government's ongoing project of building a cashew factory in the area, and also appealed to government to have a second look at the pricing of cashew to help cashew farmers in the area.

"We grow cashew and we know there is an attempt to build a cashew factory for us; it is in the process and we are waiting for it.

"We also want you to do something about cashew prices because the cashew farmers are complaining of the pricing," the Chiefs, represented by Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodu Ampem III said.

Government's commitment cashew production

Prior to Dr. Bawumia's visit to Nsawkaw, he had earlier in the day visited Bongaase in the Damba Constituency, where the chiefs also spoke about the welfare of cashew farmers.

The Vice President spoke extensively on government's plan to prioritise the cultivation and processing of cashew, and other crops.

He said the Tree Crops Development Authority Bill has been passed by Parliament, and the Authority will supervise cashew farming and other crops, just as the Cocoa Marketing Board does for cocoa.

On pricing, the Vice President said the Tree Crops Development Authority will be the exclusive government agency to manage cashew pricing, as well as conduct research into cashew production and other tree crops