Sunyani(B/A), March 09, GNA - Mr Ignatius Baffour- Awuah, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister on Wednesday pledged the commitment of the Brong Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council to the success of the Local Government Poverty Reduction Support Programme in the region.

He said the council had the mandated to coordinate implementation of Government policies and programmes and provide validated information on their impact to the Government.

Mr Baffour-Awuah made the pledge when addressing the opening session of a three-day workshop on the programme at Sunyani. District Chief Executives from seven districts in the region attended the workshop jointly organised by GTZ and the council. They were Jaman North and South, Dormaa, Wenchi, Tain, Asunafo North and South.

Mr. Baffour-Awuah commended KFW and GTZ from Germany for their continued assistance to the Government in developing strategies for good governance and rural development that had provided opportunities and institutional reforms for poverty reduction through wealth creation. The Deputy Regional Minister said the programme, which had been organised on pilot basis, would serve as a guide to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of policies in the Municipal and District Assemblies.

Mr. Peter Fricker, Financial Manager of the Programme, urged the District Chief Executives, regional planning and coordinating units to take the workshop serious to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.

He said the programme would also focus on people centred development approach that would foster population participation, transparency and accountability through institutionalised and well-motivated channels. 09 March 06