Bomaa (B/A), July 9, GNA- Mr Nicholas Lenin Anane-Agyei, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tano in Brong Ahafo, has said the country could develop faster than expected if Ghanaians worked harder.

"Hard work, dedication and truth are the pillars for development and we need to work sincerely for the country to be redeemed from socio-economic predicament."

Mr Anane-Agyei was speaking at the commissioning of a 349 million cedis' market at Bomaa.

The Village Infrastructure Project (VIP) and the Tano District Assembly funded the project.

The VIP spent 90 percent of the cost whilst the assembly paid the 10 percent for the project, which has 10 stores, 20 stalls, two open sheds and a butchers' shop.

Mr Anane-Agyei said the project was a testimony of the government's commitment to the alleviation of poverty amongst the people. He said the adoption of the HIPC initiative was timely, because it had benefited the country.

He said the one billion cedis that each district assembly received last year from the HIPC Fund, enabled the Tano Assembly to put up classroom blocks for three basic schools and seven places of convenience.

Mr Anane-AgyeiThe DCE said the communities would soon benefit from a two billion cedis Government of Ghana Community Water and Sanitation Project (GCWSP) under the Small Town Water Supply System (STWSS). He said each of the beneficiary towns and the Assembly will pay five percent or 100 million cedis of the project cost with the government paying the remaining amount.

Mr Anane-Agyei commended Bomaa Area Rural Bank for its efficient services and urged the people, especially traders, businessmen and farmers to patronize it.

He said the District Assembly has channelled 315 million cedis of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) through the bank. "It is when traders do business with the bank that they can qualify for micro-credit financing facility to enhance their activities", he said.

He said the government was rehabilitating 11 feeder roads, in the district as part of efforts to open up the rural areas. Nana Boampong Bekoe, Akwamuhene of Bechem and Presiding Member of Tano District Assembly, said the completion of the market had given the town a face-lift and advised the people to utilize it and create wealth.