Ashaiman, March 26, GNA --The District Chief Executive (DCE) of South Dayi, Mrs Woyram Boachie-Danquah has called on citizens of the area to be conversant with government policies and programmes and take advantage to utilize them for their benefit.

She said programmes such as the government's Capitation Grant and the National Health Insurance Scheme which are all geared towards poverty reduction should be studied and patronized.

The DCE made the call at a fund raising durbar held in honour of the Regent of Dazke Peki, Torgbe Hanu Yao by the Dzake Peki Development and Welfare Association at Ashaiman. 1.2 billion cedis is estimated towards the construction of a social centre back home.

Talking on development of their area, she stressed the need for opinion leaders, especially the chiefs who are in positions of authority to be part of decision making process in order make implementation easier. The DCE pointed out that within the context of decentralization, development of communities should not be left to government alone but a shared responsibility between the government and citizens who are the direct beneficiaries of development.

To ensure the success of these laudable moves however, Mrs Boachie-Danquah called on citizens, especially chiefs to come together with a common purpose and forge ahead towards developing their community for their own benefit and succeeding generation.

The Regent, Torgbe Yao reminded citizens of measures in place to punish those apathetic to development and hinted that soon, bye laws would also be instituted against relatives of those who shun development associations of their towns.

"We at Dzake Peki would not hesitate to execute the penalties if anyone flouts them". He urged non resident scholars, especially educationists to frequent their nat ive town to offer professional support in the human resource at home.

Torgbe Yao called on parents to monitor their children's activities to avoid indulging in social vices that only land them into becoming miscreants.

He asked business people in the informal sector to form associations to access financial assistance for the expansion of their businesses while the youth should also avail themselves of the National Youth Employment Programme for jobs. The Regent called on all Dzake Peki citizens residing at Ashaiman who have not joined the association to see it as a civic responsibility and contribute their quota towards development at home. The chairman of the association Mr Delali Ameho called for the concerted efforts of all citizens to develop their area and appealed to the chiefs to remain united as development thrives under peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. 26 March 07