Goaso (B/A), June 2, GNA - Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Presidential Initiatives and Private Sector Development, has re-affirmed the government's commitment to helping to improve the living standards of the people.

He said the government was determined to combat poverty, hunger and the recent hardships of the people. Mr. Agyemang-Manu was addressing People's Assembly at Dominase in Asunafo North Municipality.

He said Ghana was competing with nations that had to make marginal changes in standards and there was the need to address the issues of standards in a very competitive manner. Touching on agriculture, the Deputy Minister stated that farming was a lucrative job if carried out well and "we must therefore not sit down and let opportunities slip by". Mr. Agyemang-Manu appealed to the agricultural extension officers to train farmers at the grass roots level on the proper application of chemicals.

Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Regional Minister, said the discovery of oil was a great opportunity for all Ghanaians and expressed the hope that by 2010 the oil would earn more foreign exchange for the country. He said the government had put in place measures to tar all roads leading to cocoa producing areas to facilitate the evacuation of the 'golden pod' and other foodstuffs.

Mr. Baffour-Awuah called on the people to rally behind the government and vote to retain it in the December elections for the realization of its objectives.

In an open forum, the people expressed appreciation to the President for his efforts in promoting good governance. They said the national health insurance scheme, capitation grant, mass cocoa spraying exercise, among others had contributed immensely to the reduction of poverty.

Most of the participants appealed for the rehabilitation of feeder roads, provision of potable drinking water and construction of school blocks in their communities.