Twifo-Praso (C/R), Feb 12, GNA- The government has provided the Twifo-Hemang lower Denkyira District, with initial 250 million cedis for the implementation of the health insurance scheme in the area, to facilitate improved health care delivery.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abraham Odoom, who announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the assembly at Twifo-Praso on Thursday, cautioned members of the assembly against "playing politics" with the scheme, and help mobilise the communities for the scheme. He pointed out that the scheme, was a better alternative to the existing "cash and carry" system, adding that the assembly, had also procured generators for the Morkwaa and Wamaso clinics, and was constructing a clinic at Ayaase to enhance health care delivery. He said he was happy that last year, the Assembly generated 864.8 million cedis as against a targeted revenue of 784.1 million cedis, representing an increase of 10.2 per cent.

He attributed the success to measures the assembly took to step up revenue generation and urged members to work harder to achieve this year's target of 1.1 billion cedis

Mr Odoom, gave a breakdown of various amounts of monies received from the district assemblies common fund, and from the HIPC relief fund, and said 5.6 billion cedis from the HIPC relief fund have been used in the provision of 33 development projects, including the construction of schools blocks, roads, teachers quarters, science resource centre, improvement of health facilities and supply of potable water.

He said 180 million cedis have also been disbursed to support the education of SSS students and teacher trainees, and on other education related projects, exceeding the budgeted amount of 62 million cedis.

On cocoa cultivation, the DCE said a total of 2,500 cocoa farmers have benefited from the 'cocoa Hi-tech programme' in the district resulting in the high yield of the crop and said plans were also far advanced for the commencement of the Presidents' Special Initiative (PSIs) on Oil Palm in the area. Reverend Benjamin Bimpong Donkor, presiding member, in his address commended members for their hard work and urged them to work harder this year.

He reminded them that as an election year, it was also a "challenging and testing year" for them, and therefore urged them to mindful of their responsibilities.