Begoro, June 9, GNA- Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, has explained that the removal of import tax duties on rice and oil was to cushion the citizenry in these hard times of soaring food prices.

He said the move would not kill the local rice industry, as was being speculated, adding that, government was rather interested in mitigating the suffering of the masses. Mr Afram-Asiedu, who was addressing this year's edition of the people's assembly in the Fanteakwa district at Begoro noted that although government was committed to the growth of the rice industry in Ghana, there were more imports of rice and oil into the country hence the relief packages.

He urged the citizenry to support government's initiatives rather than the meanings being read into it because government's policies were aimed at ensuring that the people live in dignity. Mr Ebenezer Ofoe-Caesar, Fanteakwa District Chief Executive, said 1,500 youth had been engaged in agricultural under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and cultivated 3,000 acres of vegetables in the district alone.

On remuneration and conditions of service under the NYEP, he assured the youth that the district would take up the matter with the Zoom Lion Company, and see how best they could help. Osabarima Awuah Kotoko, Chief of Begoro, called for control of the activities of Fulani herdsmen and the threat they posed to the people of Begoro and its environs.

He commended the government for the good policies it had introduced, including the people assembly concept and urged the people to support the government to develop the country. 09 June 08