Regional News of Tuesday, 13 April 2004

Source: GNA

Unity is key to development - Minister

Tetrem (Ash), April 12, GNA- Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communication and Technology has stressed the importance of unity, saying it was only through unity that the country can attain proper development. He pointed out that efforts at developing the country would come to nought if the people were not united.

Addressing a fund-raising rally at Tetrem in the Afigya-Sekyere district of Ashanti on Sunday, Mr Kan-Dapaah asked Ghanaians to note that before the advent of Western politics, they were one people and therefore cautioned that they should not allow partisan politics to divide them, particularly during this election year.

The fund raising yielded 16.677 million cedis and the money would be used for water and sanitation projects.

The Communications Minister advised the youth against allowing themselves to be influenced by politicians using money to disturb the peace currently prevailing in the country. He appealed to traditional rulers to educate their people on the need to maintain peace and unity in the country. Mr Kan-Dapaah gave the assurance that the NPP government will maintain the prevailing peace and therefore asked Ghanaians to also pray to God to guide them to elect those who can govern the country effectively.

He had a word of caution for his colleague politicians and advised them not to use insulting language and attacks on their opponents during their campaigns for the December polls.

Mr Ben Abankwa, the Afigya-Sekyere District Chief Executive called on community leaders to be accountable to their people so as to win their trust and confidence.

Nana Marfo Amaniampong, a member of the Board of Governors of the Tetrem Secondary School expressed dismay at the alarming rate at which Ghanaian youth are chasing visas to travel abroad.

He noted that it was important for them to attain some level of education and qualification so that thye would not have any problems travelling to any part of the world.

Nana Marfo therefore, advised the youth to first and foremost attach importance to education before contemplating travelling abroad.