Akontombra (W/R), June 17, GNA - Mr. Harold Cobbinah, Assemblyman for Akontombra electoral area has appealed to the Western Regional Police Command to send more police personnel to the area to check criminal activities.

He said that the community with over 6,000 inhabitants has only three policemen and said the size of the population coupled with the vast nature of area made it difficult for the police to operate effectively.

Mr. Cobbinah made the appeal when Mr Joseph B. Aidoo, Regional Minister toured Sefwi Wiawso District on Monday.

Mr. Cobbinah said Akontombra, which is predominately a cocoa growing area needed extra police personnel to respond quickly to any threats of peace before, during and after the December general elections.

He appealed to the Regional Administration and the Feeder Roads Department, to ensure that roads in the area become motorable, adding, "many foodstuffs and other cash crops are locked up at farm gates due to unmotorable roads."

Mr. Aidoo acknowledged the dangerous nature of roads in the Sefwi area, and said the people needed to exercise patience while the government tackles the problems gradually. He expressed regret that some contractors after winning road contracts in the area eventually abandoned the job. Mr Aidoo said such acts, retards the development agenda of the government. He appealed to the chiefs and people of Sefwi Akontombra and its environs to patronise the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). 17 June 04