Politics of Thursday, 7 June 2012

Source: GNA

Local Government Minister appeals to chiefs to cooperate with assembly

The Minster for Local Government and Rural development, Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has appealed to chiefs and people of the Denchembuo District to co-operate with the assembly to ensure its success.

He said there was the need for hard work by the people in order to sustain the district.

The Minister was peaking at a mini durbar by chiefs and people at Akwatia as part of his tour of the 46 newly created districts across the country.

He appealed to assembly members, chiefs and people to help in revenue generation saying it was only their sufficient Internally Generated Fund (IGF) that would guarantee them enough revenue for development.

That he said, was necessary to supplement the Common Fund which is not sufficient to give them the level of development they desire.

He said five new districts had been created in the Eastern Region and would be inaugurated soon to give the people accelerated growth and development.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo, said Coordinating Directors and Finance Officers had been appointed and they would open accounts for the assemblies to begin business.

He appealed to the chiefs in the newly created districts to release land to enable them build new structures such as offices and residential accommodation for the staff and other requirements of the assembly.

He explained to them that the districts were not created along traditional lines but along political and administrative boundaries.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said the new assemblies would be given assistance to plan the districts well including the provision of recreation parks that would prevent children from indulging in social vices.

The Akwatiahene, Osabarima Kofi Boateng III, appealed to the people to unite as one people to work hard for progress and development of their hard worn district.

He promised that the traditional authority would release whatever lands the assembly would require for development.**