Kwaben (E/R), Aug 19, GNA - The newly established Atiwa District, one of the two in the Eastern Region, which was carved from the East Akim District, was on Thursday inaugurated with a durbar Kwabeng. Chiefs, heads of department, assembly members, groups and individuals, attended it.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and the Modernisation of the Capital City, Mr Boniface Sadiq Abubakar, read the President's inaugural speech on his behalf.

Speaking at the ceremony, the East Akim District Chief Executive, Mr Emanuel Victor Asihene, said even though the East Akim District was parting company with the new district, the two still had certain things in common to remind them of their previous status.

He cited for instance that the two districts had a three-year Medium Term Development Plan to share, Water and Sanitation Development Plan and the Health Insurance Scheme to pursue together for sometime. Mr Asihene said the East Akim District had also prepared both the supplementary Common Fund Budget and the proposal for the HIPC Fund disbursement for the new District.

He said while awaiting government support, some conference and office furniture had been made available for the new District Assembly Hall and offices.

Mr Asihene said the East Akim District had also made available a computer, electronic typewriter and a vehicle to the new District. He called on the new district to take over some uncompleted projects started by the East Akim District such as the bamboo and rattan production by Global Bamboo Company Limited, a rural enterprise development project at Enyiresi, Sekyere Small Town Water System and some school projects.

The Atiwa District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hamza Inusah, reminded the Assembly Members and opinion leaders of the new district that they were accountable to posterity for its success or failure. He called on the chiefs and opinion leaders to help revenue collectors of the Assembly to mobilise sufficient revenue to support development projects in the district.

The Kwabenhene, Osabarima Darkwa Woe II, noted that many towns contested for the citing of the district capital but said, where the capital was did not matter but the creation of the district to enhance development of the area.

Osabarima Woe, who is the Nifahene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, called on the people to forgive and forget the past and to unite to plan for the development of the district.

Earlier, the Atiwa District Assembly elected Mr Paul Kwasi Amoako-Atta, the former Presiding Member of the East Akim District, as the Presiding Member.

He defeated Mr Kwame Asomani, an Assemblyman, by 27 votes to six and was sworn into office by the Presiding Magistrate of the Anyinam District Magistrate Court, Mr Charles E. K. Quampah.