Ho, May 18, GNA - Regional chairmen of the National Democratic Congr= ess (NDC) on Sunday called on members of the party to exercise restraint in their demands on government and to respect the various levels of authorit= y within the party. This was contained in a communiqu=E9 issued at the end of the three day regional chairmen conference in Ho.

It was under the theme; "Working Together in Fulfilment of the Bette= r Ghana Agenda". The conference particularly noted with concern the recent unfavourab= le youth agitations on the party front and discussed ways of strengthening i= ts structures towards addressing such developments. It called on the party leadership to take advantage of government initiatives to empower members. On education, the communiqu=E9 said the conference acknowledged the interventions towards increasing the capitation grant to children in basi= c schools, provision of school textbooks, free school uniforms to pupils in=

deprived communities, and the provision of classrooms where classes were conducted under trees. It also acknowledged the formal opening of two public universities i= n Ho and Sunyani.

"The conference notes the efforts of government towards addressing t= he challenges of providing adequate classroom and dormitory accommodation fo= r students about to gain admission into our Secondary Schools this Septembe= r. "It notes with appreciation and pride the wonderful progress made by=

the NDC government towards the fulfilment of its contract as contained in=

the Manifesto document," the communiqu=E9 said.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, said regional minister= s and regional chairmen had no choice but to work closely with each other. He said though there could be no absolute agreement between them, regional ministers and regional chairmen of the party needed to agree to disagree and support each other. He said as fathers, the regional chairmen would be expected to "reprimand and cane" the regional ministers without being overly severe. Mr Amenowode said the posture of the regional chairmen was crucial t= o ensuring peace, unity and success of the party and government. He thanked the Volta Regional Executive for showing maturity towards=

the challenges facing political office holders in the region. 18 May 10