Accra, Oct. 8, GNA - Dr Owusu Achaw Duah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Offinso-South, has toured the United States and Canada to brief citizens of the constituency on developments at home and to encourage them to identify with programmes to speed up the pace of economic progress of the area.

These include the establishment of Educational Resource Centre equipped with books, teaching aids, audio-visuals and computers. Others are scholarship and grants for students who qualify to train as nurses and laboratory technicians and a Skills Training Centre to train the youth to have employable skills.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency in Accra Dr Duah, said he urge them to take calculated risks and invest in businesses that would create employment and empower the people in the constituency economically. He said it was important that they accepted to contribute to efforts at helping their relatives back home to make life comfortable for them.

''Don't lose touch with your roots. Show keen interest in developments in the area.'' Dr Duah said he was happy about the support Ghanaians abroad were providing towards the growth of the national economy through remittances.

The President of the Offinsoman Union of Virginia, Mr Isaac Owusu Ansah, said they were inspired by the visit and pledged that the union would be more supportive of projects initiated to boost the economy of the area and raise the living standards of the people. Mr James Owusu Kwarteng, the Financial Secretary, appealed to the MP to work in close partnership with the Offinso Traditional Council on the common goal of enhancing the progress of the area. Mr Stephen Mensah, Secretary of the union, suggested to the Dr Duah to articulate on the floor of Parliament the need for District Chief executives to be elected instead of the current practice of appointing them. He electing them would make them more accountable to the people.