Twifo Praso (C/R), June 12, GNA - Mr Joshua Magnus Nicol, Administrative Officer of the District Assemblies Common Fund, on Friday appealed to Ghanaians to ensure that the assemblies use development funds judiciously.

He said the people would suffer if they fail to see to it that moneys meant for development projects are properly utilised. Mr Nicol was speaking at a forum on the impact of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) on the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) at Twifo Praso at the weekend.

The programme was organised by the National Association of Local Authority of Ghana (NALAG) in collaboration with officials of DACF and the Netherlands Development Co-operation (SNV) at Praso. District chief executives, assembly members, traditional rulers, farmers, non-governmental organisations, heads of departments, opinion leaders, market women and hairdressers attended the forum. It was aimed at introducing the PRS document to participants, and to assist them to better understand the set goals roles of district assemblies.

Mr Abraham Odoom, District Chief Executive for Twifo-Heman-Lower-Denkyira, said it would require qualified personnel to implement the PRS.

Mr Sam Ocran, Senior Advisor of SNV, assured participants that SNV would continue to support NALAG and other development agencies in implementing development programmes in the country. Nana Appiah Nuamah II, Omanhene of Twifo Mampong Traditional Area, called on chiefs to settle chieftaincy disputes to ensure peace for the development of the are.