Cape Coast, June 14, GNA - The Central Regional Minister designate, Nana Ato Arthur, on Wednesday echoed calls on heads of department to ensure the timely implementation of government policies, programmes and projects.

He noted with concern that the government continued to incur unnecessary debts due to delays in the execution of projects. "Projects which are supposed to take six months to complete, take as long as three years, he said and stressed that this was not "good enough" for development.

Nana Arthur, who made the call at a maiden meeting with regional heads of department at the residency in Cape Coast, asked them to set targets at their work places and regularly review them for accelerated development.

The meeting was to enable him interact with the heads to know their problems at first hand and come out with strategies to enhance the development of the Region.

The Minister cautioned them against engaging in partisan politics at their work places and not to allow politics to divide their ranks, stressing that they should put their departments first before politics. He tasked them to be loyal to the government and regularly update their programmes and activities and ensure the early submission of their reports, to enable them to take stock.

He also called on them to help make the Region, which abounds in investment potentials, investment friendly to attract investors. Nana Arthur told them that his vision was to operate an open door policy, unite the Region and involve all stakeholders "to strategically reposition to achieve accelerated development" and called for teamwork. According to him, although the Region had been classified as poor, "we can make it a land of riches provided we are prepared to sacrifice and work harder than before".

Touching on sanitation, he said it was one of the major challenges facing the Region and that there was the need to clear the municipality of filth, urging the heads to encourage their staff to participate in the monthly clean-up exercise instituted.

Mr Michael Essandoh, Regional Coordinating Director, on behalf of the heads, thanked the Minister designate and pledged their support.