Regional News of Sunday, 8 February 2015

Source: GNA

Local Government Minister enskinned as Makpetowura

The Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essa I, paramount chief of the Yagbon had enskinned Mr Julius Debrah, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development as "Makpetowura" chief.

The title 'Makpetowura' means "Chief of no Discrimination” and was chosen by the Yagbonwura to honour Mr Debrah for his commitment to work without discrimination in any form as he strives to execute the government's "Better Ghana Agenda".

The Yagbonwura said, "I monitor with close interest your programmes, and I have noticed that you are not discriminating against anybody as you carry out your duties".

He advised the Minister to continue the good work he was doing to bring development to the doorstep of the citizenry and improve their standard of living.

He said the creation of jobs and the provision of portable water were among the major problems facing the West Gonja District and appealed to the Minister to help create jobs and initiate social interventions to solve the youth unemployment in the area.

Mr Debrah noted that the people of Gonjaland were committed and supportive to the President as a son, and that, to honour President John Dramani Mahama, "I am committing 70 per cent of my salary to build a library for the people, especially the younger ones and tourists who visit the Mole National Park to read and learn about the life history of President Mahama.

He said this would inspire the upcoming generation to desist from acts which could jeopardize their future.

"Reading about the life history of President Mahama will give the younger generation the encouragement, hope and inspiration to learn [and] help in the development in Gonjaland", he said.

Mr Debrah also presented 100 dustbins to the Yagbonwura for the promotion of good sanitation and hygiene practices in the West Gonja District.

He thanked the people of Gonjaland for the warm reception and expressed appreciation to the Yagbonwura for recognizing him as a fair-minded person who never discriminates.

Mr Adam Mutawakilu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo in an interview told the GNA that, "As an MP, I will make sure the youth, especially women are educated to create the awareness of the NSD and the upcoming District Assembly Level Election.

Mr Mutawakilu said water and sanitation issues were becoming a thing of the past in Damongo and that the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing was facilitating a water project, which will serve Damongo and its surrounding villages.

Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, Northern Regional Minister, called for sustained peace and unity among the people to facilitate development of the region.