THE government’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption is still on course and will continue until corruption is uprooted, says George Hikah Benson, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister.

Mr Benson said this when he addressed the last meeting of the Jirapa-Lambussie District Assembly at Jirapa before it was dissolved to pave the way for next month’s district level elections throughout the country.

He said the fight against corruption should be the concern of all well-meaning Ghanaians and not the government alone, adding that it will succeed only if "we stop putting ‘weight’ on files for civil and public servants, if drivers stop putting money into their driving licences for the police, if people stop giving and receiving kick-backs and if we say no to the ten per cent syndrome associated with contract awards."

Mr Benson called on assembly members to join the crusade against corruption. "I urge you as people at the grassroots level to support the government to uproot corruption that has eaten into the social fabric of the country," he added.

The District Chief Executive, Justin Dakorah, said the assembly had established a number of Community Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) facilities to ensure that basic health care is brought to the door steps of the people.

He said 27,686 people representing 28 per cent of the district’s population have so far registered and subscribed to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The presiding member, C.K. Gyang, mentioned the construction of new school blocks and rehabilitation of others, teachers quarters, sponsorship of teachers and nurse trainees and medical students as some of the projects undertaken by the assembly.

Mr Gyang hopes that the next assembly would continue to pursue policies and programmes to improve the lives of the people and bring them out of poverty.