Kukuom (B/A), Aug 24, GNA - A durbar of the chiefs and people of the new Asunafo South District in Brong Ahafo has been held at Kukuom, the capital to outdoor the district.

Mr Obeng Gyan Busia, a Special Assistant to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, delivered President John Agyekum Kufuor's inaugural address.

He noted that the creation of the 28 new districts in the country was a demonstration of the cardinal democratic principle that power belonged to the citizenry through a truly decentralized system. Mr Busia said the rapid development of the country must be a shared responsibility of the Central Government and the people.

He explained that the Government's efforts at strengthening the local government system, was to make it more participatory and responsive to the country's development strategies.

He underscored the enormity of the challenges facing the new districts and appealed to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which were yet to become part of the District Assembly system to cooperate with the Ministry of Local Government to ensure democratic governance.

Mr Busia emphasised that the District Assemblies' Common Fund was designed to supplement the Assembly's financial resources and urged the Assembly Members and staff of the Assembly to redouble their efforts to mobilise adequate revenue.

They should properly account for the revenue they collect and use it to the benefit of the people.

He appealed to areas that had been given new districts but were grumbling over where the capitals should be located to dispassionately discuss the criteria used for the selection.

The Asunafo District Chief Executive, Mr George Yaw Boakye noted that the new district had enjoyed many development projects from the Government and expressed the hope that groups and agencies would complement the Government's efforts in developing the area. He stressed that good governance could only thrive on commitment and absolute dedication to duty.

Mr Boakye presented a cheque for 100 million cedis to the new Assembly as the old Assembly's contribution to its smooth take-off. Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi 11, Chief of Kukuom and President of the Kukuom Traditional Council, said the efforts for a separate district in the area started in 1964.

He commended the Government for initiating and executing development projects in the District, including the tarring of the Norbekaw-Sankore road.

Nana Aterkyi praised the Government for the good governance it had promoted over the past three-and-a half-years and urged Ghanaians not to do anything that would derail the process.

Mr Ransford Berko Snr, Brong Ahafo Regional Manager of Federated Commodities Limited (FEDCO) and an Assembly Member for Kwapong, was elected as the Assembly's first Presiding Member.