Koforidua, Aug. 21, GNA- The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah has called on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), to use its medium to assist the people and government to harness the abundant potentials of the region for accelerated development.

He noted that the district assemblies in the region contributed funds towards the establishment of the Corporation's "Sunrise" Frequency Modulation (FM) station at Koforidua.

The regional Minister, said it, therefore, behoved the GBC to ensure that all parts of the region were reached with educative and motivational messages for socio-economic and political development. Mr Barimah was speaking at the joint GBC 70th anniversary and the "Sunrise FM" third anniversary celebrations at Koforidua on Friday. He commended the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), District Assemblies and the GBC for their joint efforts towards the establishment of the FM station, to facilitate the development of the region. Mr Barimah praised Madam Patience Addow, a former regional minister, during whose administration the radio station was set up, for her initiative.

He said: "we may disagree with the development policies of our respective political parties, but we owe it a duty to unite the people for the sake of the region's development."

Mr Barimah assured the GBC of the continued support of the RCC in its programmes towards the promotion of peace and development in the region.

Madam Addow who was presented with a citation, commended the GBC for recognizing her role in its developmental efforts and expressed the hope that it would make its services felt among the people. She asked the management of GBC to ensure that its FM station's phone-ins programme was properly regulated to promote unity and the dignity of the people.

The Director General of the Corporation, Ms Eva Lokko commended the staff of GBC in the region for working efficiently over the years towards the development of the people with obsolete equipment. She expressed satisfaction that the Corporation had been able to produce great broadcasters for the country, saying many of its past staff were among those manning most of the radio and television stations springing up in the country.

The out-going Eastern Regional Manager of GBC, Mr Kwaku Nkrumah, said the RCC and district assemblies in the region contributed 330 million cedis out of the 436 million cedis it cost to establish the "Sunrise" FM station through the efforts of the former Regional Minister.

The in-coming Regional Manager, Mar Francis Nana Frempong, announced that the corporation had decided to organize annual "Christmas Kitchen" at Koforidua to raise funds for the needy. He, therefore appealed to the district assemblies, traditional rulers and non-governmental organizations in the region to assist in the implementation of the idea.

Mr Nkrumah appealed for an additional transmitter to enable the FM station reach all parts of the region.

The Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng, called on the GBC to provide more transmitters to improve the reception of television in the region.

Mr Barimah later inaugurated a 13-piece Opanyin Aye Brass Band International, which cost 300 million cedis to be formed. Certificates were distributed to individuals and institutions, which contributed towards the anniversaries and the setting up of the "Sunrise FM".