Koforidua, July 2, GNA - Senior Citizens in Eastern Region had appealed to government to extend the proposed national housing project to all the district and not the capital towns alone as had been the case in the provision of most facilities.

This came to light, when the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council hosted 300 senior citizens at a party on Friday, to mark the 46th Republic Day Anniversary in Koforidua.

The guests comprised retired public and civil servants, who had served the nation in various capacities.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Pensioners Association, Mr P. S Danso, appealed to government to ensure that good governance was sustained.

He assured the government of the pensioners' support to its policies, so far as it was in line with the development agenda of the country.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah delivered the President's Republic Day luncheon address to the senior citizens. In the address, the President cautioned Ghanaians against rumour mongering and other social vices that undermined the smooth practice of democratic governance and asked the senior citizens to bring their experience to bear on the development of the nation.

He announced that payment of the 50 per cent increase of pensioners' salaries announced earlier in the year, had begun and measures had been initiated to simplify the process of payment. Presentations were made to two hundred senior citizens, selected from all the seventeen districts of the region for their meritorious service to the region.

The function attracted a large number of prominent personalities, including District Chief Executives (DCE's), Members of Parliament (MPs), The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Susana Mensah, and Deputy Minister for Road Transport, Mr Magnus Opare-Asamoah, Head of Departments and Institutions and New Patriotic Party functionaries.