Takoradi, Dec. 17, GNA - Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment on Saturday asked Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to take advantage of the policies and programmes in the 2007 budget to facilitate development of their areas.

He said this was the only way Government could achieve its development targets before the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, adding 932007 would be a year of accelerated development especially in the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts.=94 Mr Asamoah-Boateng made the call when addressing the closing session of the two-day 2006 Annual Review Conference of MMDCEs in Takoradi.

He pointed out that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) believed in development based on liberal democracy and freedom of expression, making the Party different from other political parties because of its commitment to liberal democratic principles.

Mr Asamoah-Boateng who is also the Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West appealed to the MMDCEs to be more committed and serve their communities to the best of their abilities and pledged the commitment of his Ministry to support their efforts.

He advised them to be transparent and accountable to their assemblies and the people within their jurisdiction.

Ms Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, said under the Government's communication strategy, Regional Ministers as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives would be involved in the management of government information machinery.

She said the involvement of MMDCEs was vital to ensure the effective dissemination of government policies and programmes to the communities.

Ms Sai-Cofie advised the MMDCEs to interact with the people to inform Government of their reaction to its policies and programmes.

"You should participate on educational programmes in the mass media and public forums on Government policies and programmes," she added.