New Abirem, Jan. 5, GNA - The government has made available an initial amount of eight billion cedis for the upgrading of the New Abirem Health Centre in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region. Mr Emmanuel Amoako, Presiding Member of the district assembly disclosed this at end-of-year get-together for staff of the district health administration at New Abirem.

Mr Amoah said the upgrading of the centre to a hospital would allow the people in the area, which is considered as one of the most deprived districts in the country, to give greater access to improved quality health care.

The Acting District Director of Health Services, Mr Tei Djangmah challenged the staff to continue the dedicated services they had been rendering to the people under very difficult conditions.

The Eastern Regional Entomologist, Mr Richard Yeboah advised sub-district heads to follow proper accounting principles.

The Akoasihene Nana Kwaakye Akyeanpong expressed grave concern about the poor educational standards in the district and urged all stakeholders to strategise to reverse the situation.

Nana Akyeanpong also advised marriage couples to ensure the protection of their marriages since, according to him, broken homes were the cause of many street children and other social problems.