Dadiesoaba(BAR), May 18, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on Sunday called on chiefs, their elders and opinion leaders to hold Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives accountable for funds allocated for the development of their areas under the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).

He advised them to be vigilant and not sit down unconcerned whilst funds allocated for the development were misapplied and misused by officials of the assemblies.

Alhaji Dauda made the call at a durbar jointly organised by chiefs and people of Ahafo South Divisional Council to congratulate and honour him for the appointment.

The council comprised chiefs from Ayomso, Abuom, Mehame, Nkasiem and Dadiesoaba in Asutifi South Constituency where Alhaji Dauda is the Parliamentarian.

He pointed out that the DACF must be expended judiciously and justifiably to reflect the developmental needs of the people and therefore urged MMDCEs to be honest and prudent in its handling as well as revenue from other traditional sources. Alhaji Dauda said whilst government ensured fair and equitable development and distribution of the national cake, all funds including stool lands revenue and royalties to the assemblies would be published for transparency.

He warned individuals planting cocoa seedlings on degraded forest reserves earmarked for reafforestation projects to desist from their acts.

Alhaji Dauda advised them to adhere to the arrangements between them and the government because the cocoa seedlings would be destroyed for tree plantations.

Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister said the only path for national progress and development was through unity, healthy relationship and peaceful co-existence of the people. He therefore, called on Ghanaians to eschew ethnic sentiments, bitterness, rancour and forge ahead as a people with a common bond and destiny to achieve the ultimate goal of holistic national development. Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, General Secretary of National Democratic Congress (NDC) said national development begun from policing and economic use of national resources, therefore it was ideal to ask past government and state officials to account for their stewardship. Oyeeman Appiah Kubi, Chief of Ayomso expressed their preparedness and commitment to partner government to ensure development in the area. He said "most of the forest is depleted because of indiscriminate tree felling and we are ready to help in any reafforestation process". Oyeeman Kubi called for the creation of a separate region for Ahafo, in linw with government's determination to create another region from the Northern Region because of its geographical size.