Navrongo (U/E), July 29, GNA - Mr Braimah Sanjage, Assembly Member for Namolo/Saboro electoral area in the Kassena Nankana District, has initiated an exchange programme between tradesmen and women in the area and their counterparts in Burkina Faso.

The programme, which is known as the "Movement of Collective Associations" (MOCASS), is collaborating with African Youth Network (Reseau Afrique Jeunnes) another movement in Burkina Faso.

The MOCASS is a network of community based organisations (CBOs) in Navrongo made up of tailors, dressmakers, masons, shoemakers, electricians, farmers' associations, national service personnel, youth and women's clubs and association of persons with disabilities. The two associations are working towards the creation of an easy environment for members to travel to each other's country to learn trade skills to facilitate the promotion of market links between them.

In March last year 36 members of the Reseau Afrique Jeunnes visited their counterparts in Navrongo while 24 MOCASS members also paid a reciprocal visit to Ouagadougou in April the same year.

Mr Sanjage told the GNA that apart from seeking trade links MOCASS is also embarking on a campaign to fight HIV/AIDS, violence against children and women and educating the communities on the need to be environmentally friendly.

He said MOCASS had organised two HIV/AIDS campaigns in Navrongo with contributions from its members and the District Assembly with support from the Paga Pio, Pe Charles Awumpaga and the regent of Navrongo, Mr Arthur Balinia.

Mr Sanjage said six members of MOCASS had attended a programme in Fada, a border town near Mali, where 13 countries including France, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Guinea and Belgium met and exchanged technological skills and embarked on a tree planting and advocacy programmes.

He appealed to the youth, particularly those without skills, to join

Community honours DCE

Amasaman (GA), July 29, GNA - The Ga District Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Nii Aryeetey Attoh was at the weekend honoured by the people of Oduman-Asuaba for his instrumental role in the construction of a six-classroom block, an office and a store to replace the old dilapidated building built over 20 years ago.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at a durbar held in his honour at Amasaman, Mr. Aryeetey Attoh said the school block, which was constructed by the Ga District Assembly is part the government's initiative to give the people in the rural areas quality education.

Mr. Attoh therefore, called on the people to vote massively for the government during the 2004 elections to enable President Kufuor to fulfil his promise of providing them with school infrastructure and quality education.

He said teachers' accommodation would also be constructed to enable the teachers, who would be posted to the area to reside in the community.

He called on the people to involve themselves in communal activities to supplement government's effort in the development of projects initiated in the area.

Mr. Famous Akpo, Chairman for the Alavanyo Youth Association of the town who also chaired the function appealed to Ghanaians to avoid backbiting and rather support the government in its developmental efforts.

He said he believed if the NPP government is returned to power in the next elections and continued with its developmental agenda Ghana would attract much investment.