General News of Friday, 22 June 2001

Source: .

Rural development programme of Busia to be re-introduced

President John Kufuor has indicated that his government would re-introduce the rural development programme of the Progress Party (PP) government in the Second Republic. The ruling NPP is of the PP tradition.

He said the development of the rural areas had been neglected since that period, therefore, the policy was to be re-introduced to ensure the provision of potable water, good roads, schools and agro-processing industries. President Kufuor was addressing the chiefs and people of Anyinam on the last day of his two-day official tour of the Eastern Region.

Kufuor reiterated his party's campaign promise that the cash and carry system and other policies that have impoverished the people would be scrapped and more efficient policy that would make life bearable for the people introduced. Six months into the administration of the new government, Ghanaians are still expecting the fulfilment of this promise since hospital bills remain one of the biggest burdens on the populace.

The chief of Anyinam, Nana Ampofo Wiredu II appealed to the government to carve out a separate district for the Atiwa Constituency from the East Akyem District. He also called for more schools to be established in the area as well as cottage industries to provide employment for the youth and extension of electricity to all parts of the area.

Meanwhile, a-120 -years-old woman of the royal Bretuo Family of Anyinam, Obaapanin Ama Oforiwaah, had her wish fulfilled, when President John Agyekum Kufuor visited the town on the last leg of his two-day tour of the Eastern Region. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Obaapanin Oforiwaah said, "it has been my wish to meet President Kufuor before I die. My wish has been fulfilled today and I'm grateful to the Almighty God".