Chiraa (B/A), Feb. 4, GNA - Professor Mike Ocquaye, Minister of Energy, on Friday commissioned two projects estimated at 750 million cedis in two towns in the Sunyani West Constituency. A community library at Chiraa and a self help electrification project phase one at Asuakwaa cost 300 and 450 million cedis respectively.

Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko Member of Parliament for the constituency funded the library project from his share of the MP's common fund and supported the electrification project with 86 million cedis. Professor Ocquaye re-affirmed the government's commitment to enhancing the study of science and technology, saying the government was therefore putting in place policies to ensure that some teacher training colleges would specialise only in the study of science and information technology.

The Energy Minister said government had negotiated with the Indian High Commission for the provision of the necessary reading materials to furnish the library and advised students in the community to patronize the facility to broaden their knowledge.

Mr Adjei-Darko stressed the need for the country to focus on issues that would help accelerate national development and spoke against partisan politics, which he said was retarding national growth. He commended the contractor for the speedy completion of the project and expressed the hope that children in the community would make proper use of the library.

The MP later presented 15 packets of roofing sheets to Chiraa Secondary School towards the completion of some on-going projects.

Mr Adjei-Darko renewed his appeal to parents to invest in the education of their children and give them the right advice to enable them to become responsible citizens.

At Asuakwaa Professor Ocquaye emphasized the commitment and preparedness of the government to enhance rural electrification. He announced plans by government to use solar energy and exploit the available dams to provide electricity in the rural communities. The Energy Minister advised people in the area to help fight the outbreak of bushfires to ensure the longevity of the project. The Right Reverend Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, expressed concern about the spate of chieftaincy disputes in the Region.

He stressed the need for traditional authorities to demonstrate unity of purpose and tackle the diverse problems affecting their various communities.

The Presiding Bishop, a citizen of the town urged parents to instil the Word of God in their children and to cater for their education so that they would grow to serve the nation meaningfully. Nana Akwasi Yeboah II, Chief of Asuakwaa commended the government for the projects, which he said would boost the morale of the people.

He appealed to the government to help construct a community clinic to improve the health of the people.

Nana Yeboah further expressed concern about the deplorable state of roads in the area and appealed to the government to tar them to facilitate the easy movement of people, goods and services. 4 Feb. 06