Agona Nkwanta (W/R), Aug. 3, GNA - Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, says he will not tolerate any power struggle or petty squabbles among District Chief Executives (DCEs) and Members of Parliament (MP) in their areas. He said these infightings do not only retard the developmental agenda of the district, but it also reduces productivity, and creates enmity among the people, resulting in communal violence, as well as, waste of human and material resources.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said made these remarks when interacting with assembly members and district assembly staff at Agona Nkwanta on Wednesday. He warned that any DCE or other decentralized public office holder, who refuses to work as a member of a team to improve the status of the community, would be dismissed or sanctioned.

"Public office is meant to humble people to serve their communities and they should be prepared to serve their term without wrangling," he stated and called on workers of the various district assemblies to be united and committed to their respective duties. Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said efforts were underway to motivate outgoing assembly members, adding efforts would be made to generate and sustain interest in the district assembly concept. He said the structure of unit committees would soon be reviewed to scale down the membership of area councils and also enhance support for assembly members.

He urged women to assert themselves and participate in the forthcoming district level elections. "Every individual must make personal interest and motivation an important factor in the quest for high public office," he added. He said the positive aspects of Ghanaian traditions should be adopted and fused into the day-to-day administration of the various districts and in conflict resolution. He intimated that efforts were underway to integrate chieftaincy into the decentralization programme.