Dua, (U/E), Dec. 16, GNA- Mr Andrew Awuni, a Deputy Minister of Information, on Monday said the government is obliged to inform the citizenry on its policies and programmes at any given time. " Government has the responsibility to inform the people about issues that concern them and to also ensure that vital information is communicated to the masses who gave government the mandate to serve them".

Mr. Awuni said this at Dua, his hometown in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, where he was the guest of honour at the annual "Ayagle-kuure" festival of the chiefs and people of the area. He said government would not remain silent over issues vital for the people to make informed decisions and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country, especially at a time when the positive contribution of every citizen is required.

Mr. Awuni said the misconception held by some people that the Minister of Information delights in making unnecessary press conferences to counter allegations levelled against government, was untenable. He said the NPP government is one of the most transparent ones that have ruled the country, and would not hide anything that the people ought to know about the government.

The Deputy Minister called on the people to be united and to forge ahead for the development of the area, adding, "unity is strength. It is the most powerful tool for development, and without it we stand divided".

He educated the people on the operations of the health insurance scheme and said the Bongo Hospital has been selected to run the scheme in the district. He urged the people to patronise it. The Upper East Regional Minster, Mr. Mahami Salifu, expressed regret that in spite of government's huge investment in education, some parents still do not appreciate the need to send their children to school, adding that they preferred engaging them in labour and early marriage.

He, therefore, called on the people to use the celebrations profitably by collating ideas as to how they could support their children's education and plan for development projects.

Mr. Salifu appealed to community-based organisations operating in the area to serve as pressure groups to impress upon the people to change their attitude towards the education of girls in the area. The Bongo District Chief Executive, Mr. Clement Apikiya, announced that there are plans to establish a rural bank in Bongo to cater for the banking needs of the people.

He said the tarring of the nine-kilometre Bolgatanga-Bongo road would soon start since the contractor has moved his equipment to the site.