The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekeyere, has called on Ghanaians to believe and have faith in the ability of the country to achieve a significant socio-economic development within the shortest possible period.

He made the call in his New Year message in a press release issued by the Regional Coordinating Council at Koforidua and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday.

The Regional Minister called on workers, especially public servants to eschew negative practices such as absenteeism and lateness to work, and urged them to work hard to increase productivity.

He indicated that the Government had good vision which required all to contribute their quota of support to achieve the needed development.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako assured the people in the Region of the Government’s commitment to ensure that, the critical roads in the region were reconstructed under the first phase of the rehabilitation of cocoa roads in the country early next year.

The Regional Minister appealed to the public to share with one another during the Christmas and New Year festivities, especially with the destitute and physically challenged in the society, to enable them to share in the joy and happiness of the season.

He also called on the public to be circumspect and disciplined in their celebrations and desist from social vices to preserve lives and properties.