Hohoe, July 21, GNA- A government of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) would integrate the traditional authority structure into the local government system to deepen decentralization at the local level. Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi, Flagbearer of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on Sunday stated this position at a rally in Hohoe. He said the frontiers of the traditional authority system would be widened and its rich potentials tapped towards effective local government administration.

Mr Ansah-Antwi had earlier paid courtesy calls on Togbega Gabusu VI and Nana Allo Soglo IV, Paramount Chiefs of Gbi and Likpe Traditional Areas respectively.

He said the DFP would establish a University of Agriculture, to undertake research into staples like rice, maize and others to boost their production for both local consumption and for export. He said politics was meant to be constructive and developmental in approach and not a platform for vilification, intimidation and disunity. Mr Ansah-Antwi therefore called for a political culture that would bind Ghanaians together in an atmosphere of tolerance.

Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, Life Patron of DFP said successive governments have failed to address poverty from its source, which includes the 70 percent peasant farmers nationwide, adding that quasi and adhoc approaches in that sector would further jeopardize an already fragile situation.

He said a DFP government would subsidize agriculture as a tool for tackling poverty, increasing food production and ensuring fair prices to both farmers and consumers.

Dr Asamoah said given the mandate, a DFP government would split the Volta Region into two, to facilitate its accelerated development. Ms Edna Motey, Volta Regional Women's Organizer challenged the womenfolk to rub shoulders with their male counterparts in governance and decision-making processes.