Tarkwa(W/R), Jan. 29, GNA - Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, last weekend, called for unity among people in Wassa West District towards socio-economic development. He said development of the district should be their utmost priority therefore; they should rise above petty squabbles and develop the area. Mr Amoah who made the call at the Jubilee Peoples' Assembly at Tarkwa, said the time was ripe for the district to have a new beginning to move the forward.

He stressed the need for a policy to tap resources in the area for development.

Mr Amoah noted that this could be achieved in collaboration with the Members of Parliament in the area, District Chief Executive and the assembly, adding, 93The area has not developed as expected because the people have not been aggressive in their development efforts." Mr Emmanuel K. Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive said the assembly had drawn up a three-year medium term development plan to provide a framework for the medium to long term development of communities in the district.

He said plans were far advanced to construct a new district hospital on a land donated by the Chiefs and people of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area.

Mr Ayensu said about 40 farmers were cropping on the land and the assembly contacted Land Valuation Board to assess properties of the farmers and was waiting for their report.

He announced that 22,562 people registered for the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme by the end of December 2006 and the total premium mobilised was 541,125,000 cedis.

Mr Ayensu said 1,045 youth had registered for the National Youth Employment Programme in the district out of which 314 had been engaged as volunteer teachers. 29 Jan. 07