Botoku (Volta Region), 10 Nov.,

The government is taking measures to ensure that the re-introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) does not impose any hardship on Ghanaians. Nana Ato Dadzie, Special Assistant to the President said this at a durbar of the chiefs and people of Botoku Traditional Area in the Kpando district to climax their annual Yam Festival at the weekend. The festival was also in honour of Miss Akua Sena Dansua, Kpando District Chief Executive, who hails from the town. Nana Dadzie said the government is considering arguments raised for and against the VAT to avoid the mistakes of the past. He said "government shall count on the good sense of Ghanaians to prevail so that those who seek to play politics with the national economy do not get the opportunity to cause trouble". Nana Dadzie said the six telephone lines at Kpando will be increased to 24 soon and to 500 lines next year. He commended the people of Botoku for maintaining peace for the past 50 years without any chieftaincy dispute. Nana Dadzie said Miss Dansua epitomises what could be achieved by women if they were sent to school to make their participation in national affairs meaningful. Togbe Tamtia, in his welcoming address, called on the government to go to the aid of communities which have procured electric poles under the Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) but are now being declared sub-standard poles by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The function, presided over by Commodore Steve Obimpeh (rtd), Member of Parliament for North Dayi honoured 10 Botoku citizens who have distinguished themselves in the development of the area.