Sekondi, July 3, GNA - Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, new Western Regional Minister, has tasked District Chief Executives (DCEs) in the region to formulate programmes and policies that would help to consolidate the achievements of the government.

He said President Kufuor's administration has two years to complete its term of office and that the fate of the New Patriotic Party at the 2008 elections would be determined by his achievements. Mr. Amoah was speaking at his maiden meeting with DCEs in the region after assuming duty as regional minister about a week ago. He urged the DCEs to showcase what the NPP had been able to achieve over the past six years for the people to continue to have the confidence and renew their mandate for the party in 2008. He pledged to provide good leadership to encourage them and other opinion leaders, including chiefs to support the efforts to improve the lives of the people.

The new Regional Minister said problems of low levels of education, bad roads, inadequate health facilities and youth unemployment were among issues that he would need the support of the citizens, irrespective of their political and religious affiliation to tackle vigorously.

Problems of chieftaincy disputes and land litigations, which he said had been the bane of the region, would also be addressed. He entreated the DCEs to be honest and deal fairly with all the people irrespective of their political leaning without fear or favour. Mr. Amoah also urged them to evolve programmes that would help to check environmental degradation and sustain the efforts towards poverty reduction among the people.

Mr. Kwesi Blay, Deputy Regional Minister, said DCEs must monitor the activities of contractors to ensure efficiency and value for money. He said the DCEs must ensure that monies from the district assemblies common fund were allocated on capital expenditure only, they must also ensure that all contracts awarded were completed on schedule.