Aburi (ER), July 9, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) is collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture(MOFA) to create a 'Special Development Area' in some parts of the country as a way of stimulating rural economic development.

One such project is to be called the "North Kintampo/Central Gonja Development Area" and it is part of efforts by the government to encourage local economic development as one of the pillars of decentralization to support the poverty reduction agenda.

The Sector Minister of MLGRD, Mr Charles Bintim, who made this known at a workshop at Aburi in the Eastern Region on Friday, also announced the re-institution of the annual joint meetings of Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

The workshop, which attracted top Directors of the MLGRD and Members of Parliament, was aimed, among others, at fashioning policies that would enable the ministry to deliver its mandate as enshrined in the Local Government Act.

Mr. Bintim disclosed that his outfit was awaiting cabinet's approval and validation of a Rural Development Policy that would enable it to spearhead its poverty reduction agenda further.

The Local Government Minister charged workers under his ministry to rededicate themselves to the task for which they have been hired in order to achieve the objectives as outlined in the MLGRD's strategic plan and by so doing, fulfil the promise the government has made to the people.

This challenges, he explained, included ensuring the success of the Community Based Rural Development Project (CBRDP) which had replaced the defunct Village Infrastructure Project (VIP).

The CBRDP, among others, was to ensure the provision of water through point source system and natural resource management.