Assakae(WR), May 28, GNA - The people of Assakae near Takoradi are demanding accountability from their Assembly Member and Unit Committee Executives for monies they paid as contributions towards a community initiated road project.

Mr Joseph Yankey, Spokesman for the residents told Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that they agreed to pay special levies of between one and three Ghana cedis towards the construction of a six-kilometre Assakae-Tumantu road.

He said the project was to facilitate transportation of foodstuffs from Tumantu where the bulk of foodstuffs were produced. Mr Yankey said 7,500 Ghana cedis was realised but instead of awarding it to a contractor, Madam Juliana Cudjoe, the assembly member and the executives formed a road construction firm and awarded the project to themselves.

He alleged that they paid daily wages among themselves from the contributions and all that they had done was construction of few culverts while the actual construction of the road had been abandoned since December 2007.

Mr Yankey said condition of the road had worsened thereby compounding the plight of farmers and appealed to the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to ensure the assembly member and Unit Committee Executives rendered accounts to the people. When contacted, Madam Cudjoe denied any wrong-doing and said the project was estimated at 6,000 Ghana cedis but only 3,600 was realised from the contributions because most of the people failed to pay. She said the project was standstill due to lack of funds and an appeal to the assembly for assistance had not yielded any positive results. Mr John Cobinnah Amoah, Financial Secretary of the Unit Committee said four culverts were constructed on the road at 3,480 Ghana cedis. He said they rendered accounts on the project at a meeting with the people in December 2007. 28 May 08

NSOC 023 Social Court Drivers Three drivers before court for motor offences

Awutu, May 28, GNA - Three drivers who allegedly operated in unauthorised places have appeared before an Awutu Magistrate's court presided over by Mr Kofi Ahiabor. They are Erick Peter Ayitey, Ali Irbahim and Moses Ahigbah. They pleaded guilty and the court adjourned to Wednesday, June 6. The prosecution told the court that they were arrested by executives of Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPTRU) as part of an exercise to reduced road accidents in the country. It said they were arrested near a traffic light while picking passengers and handed over to the police.