Ajumako Bisease (C/R), Aug. 7, GNA - Chiefs in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District have appealed to the Ghana Health Service to post a medical officer to cater for the health needs of more than 200,000 people in the area.

Okofo Kwakora Gyan III, Chief of Ajumako Bisease, who made the appeal, said the present situation where not a single qualified medical officer was manning any of the health institutions in the district, was badly affecting promotion of health needs of the people. "We have had to rely on the Catholic Mission Hospital at Breman-Asikuma which is about 20 kilometres away for emergency health care," he said at a durbar to mark the annual Abangye festival of the town, adding that the situation had caused many preventable deaths. The chief appealed to the government to continue the rehabilitation of Ajumako Eshiem-Anyinasu-Assiam Manso road, which was abandoned halfway through to facilitate movement of food crops to the market centres.

He also urged contractors working on the town roads, started about four years ago, to complete the work on schedule. The chief expressed gratitude to the United Nations Education Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) for providing FM equipment for the setting up of a community radio station for the town.

Nana Ato Arthur, Central Regional Minister, appealed to Ghanaians to use radio stations judiciously adding that phone-ins should be used to promote national unity and development, but not for insulting people in authority.

Nana Arthur shared the sentiments of the people from the area on unavailability of a medical officer in the district and gave the assurance that he would do everything possible to get one for the area.

The Regional Minister donated 200 bags of cement to the community toward the completion of a community library.

Mr Isaac Edumadze, Member of Parliament for the area, urged Ghanaians not to use the temporary hardships facing the country to withdraw their support for the Government to streamline the economy. Mr Joseph Nkum Okyere, Bisease Development Association Chairman, appealed to the youth to visit home regularly in order to support development projects.

The theme for the festival was "Abanye Festival, a tool for cultural re-awakening and community development".