Donkorkrom ((E/R), July 10, GNA - The Afram Plains District Assembly on Friday confirmed the President's nomination of Mr Solomon Yaw Fordjour, as the District Chief Executive (DCE).

He obtained 53 votes against 1 to score 98.4 per cent.

Addressing the Assembly earlier, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, called for close collaboration among political leaders, chiefs and assembly members for the effective development of the economic potential of the rural areas.

He noted that such participatory approach would help speed up the provision of the necessary infrastructure to enhance the exploitation of the vast agricultural potential of such areas.

Mr Barimah reiterated the government's determination to tap the potentials in the Afram Plains to benefit the entire nation by the introduction of mechanized farming and the cultivation of non-traditional export crops.

He then announced that, government was making adequate preparations to embark on serious mechanized agriculture alongside the introduction of improved farming methods in the area soon. The Minister commended the out-going DCE, Mr Benjamin Anokye, for his contribution towards the promotion of unity and peaceful co-existence among the people in the district, despite their ethnic and political differences.

Mr Fordjour, who was sworn in by the District Magistrate, Mr Kenneth Assan, thanked President Kufuor and the assembly members for the confidence reposed in him, saying, "as a liberal democrat", he would co-operate with all sections of the people, irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliations, to ensure the development of the district.

Among those present at the special meeting included the MPs for Afram Plains North and Afram Plains South, Mr Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu and Mr Raphael Kofi Ahaligah, respectively.