Mumford (C/R), Nov. 8, GNA - Ghanaians have been urged to put side their political inclinations and support the development programmes of the government to build a better Ghana everyone is all yearning for. Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister, who made the call urged chiefs to team up with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), non-governmental organization (NGOs) and other institutions which share development aspirations of the government to accelerate the development of their communities. The Regional Minister was addressing a grand durbar at Mumford at the weekend to mark the celebration of the annual Akwanbo festival of the people.

She appealed to the people to use the festival to take stock of their performance in the past year and to plan for the ensuing year. "Find out why you did not do well in certain areas and map out strategies to correct the shortfall", she stressed. Mrs Benyiwa-Doe expressed concern about how education had retrogressed in the region which used to be the citadel of education in the country.

She appealed to them to stop basking in the region's past glory and come together to find solutions to the problem. "We must arrest the reverse of education in the region despite the fact that most of the well-endowed Senior High Schools in the country are found in the region", she emphasized.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe announced that the Apam/Afranse road had been awarded on contract and work on it would soon start while work on Apam, Mumford, Dago Dawurampong, Eshiem and Otuam roads were in progress. She said Apam/ Mumford/ Otuam road would be reconstructed next year

The Regional Minister said government has approved the construction of a fishing harbour at Mumford but "I would not rejoice over it until funding was secured." "I know fishing harbour had been the most requested item of the people of Mumford since independence, and I will join you to rejoice when funding is secured for the sod to be cut to mark beginning of work", she said.

Mr Francis Kojo Arthur, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, said the people of the constituency had benefited from a number of projects under his watch which include award of scholarships to students, extension of electricity to communities provision of desks to schools, construction of schools and health facilities. The MP expressed concern about attempts of some politicians to force Ghanaians to accept falsehood as the truth and appealed to them give up that behaviour to protect the country's fragile democracy.

Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Gomoa West District Chief Executive, said water pumping machine was to be enstalled at Mumford to facilitate supply water to all parts of the town and to Dago which had been without water for over a decade.

Obirifo Ahuako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim, called on Parliament to establish a institution similar to the Privileges Committee of Parliament to check abuse of the presidency and other high offices of the state.

He said this has become necessary due to how people could insult the President and people in high offices and go scot-free. The Omanhene said the Privileges Committee had put some fears into the people and no one dared making uncomplimentary remarks about the House.

In a welcoming speech, Mr Ebenezer E. Adoko, the town Secretary, complained about in adequate desks in the schools in the town and the children sat o the bare floor to write. 8 Nov. 10