Half Assini (W/R), Sept. 12, GNA - The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jomoro, Mr Sylvester Nuamah Dadieh has said that Unit and Area Councils are not mere appendages of the local government system, but essential structures in the country's development.

"They are structures which provide positive grass root initiative and participation in governance and development", he said, describing them further as an important milestone in the country's democratic dispensation.

Mr Dadieh said these in an address read for him at the inauguration of 10 Unit and Area Council committees for the Jomoro District during separate ceremonies at the weekend.

The Councils are at New town, Dwenye, Half Assini, Bonyere, Tikobo No. 1, Tikobo No. 2, Elubo, Takinta, Beyin and Nuba-Mpataba.

The DCE said the grassroots structures facilitated the practice of decentralization that sought to democratize state power in a manner that created an opportunity for majority of Ghanaians to participate in decision making.

He said if the councils that formed the bases of the Assemblies were weak, then the Assemblies themselves being the supper-structures could not stand.

"The Assemblies in this regard have a role to play in ensuring that the Area Councils and Unit Committees perform creditably".

The DCE urged members of the Unit and Area Councils to work hard towards the success of the District Assemblies.