DCE appeals for resolution of land disputes

Zezera (B/A), Feb. 01 GNA - Mr. Apraku Tanor, District Chief Executive for Jaman South on Thursday appealed for a quick resolution of land disputes in the area to ensure the accelerated development of the district.

He cited a land dispute between Drobo and Mpuasu-Japekrom traditional councils which, he said, had stalled the construction of a new ultra-modern administration block for the District Assembly. "We believe that Drobo, Japekrom, Kwasibourkrom, Katakyiekrom and Baanafour could qualify the district to gain an urban status if there is peace and unity among the chiefs", he added.

Making the appeal at a Peoples' Assembly at Zezera, Mr. Apraku Tanor said since 2004, the district had enjoyed relative peace with the presence of more police personnel.

The DCE appealed to the youth to help sustain the peace by joining the impending community policing programme to beef up security in the communities to ensure sound economic activities.

He said the district generated internal revenue of 576,274,690 cedis, which he described as 93woefully inadequate" to run the office, let alone embark on development projects.

The DCE said efforts had however been made to increase internally generated funds through the installation of block making machines to manufacture quality blocks and build a maize warehouse at Drobo. He implored the chiefs, Assembly Members and people in the district to support such efforts by promptly paying their basic and property rates and other tolls.

On education, Mr. Apraku Tanor said the Assembly had sponsored 845 teacher trainees at a total cost of 180.2 million cedis, built 39 schools, two teachers' quarters and funded science, technology and mathematics clinics.

He disclosed that 600 school pupils were enjoying the School Feeding Programme at Kofiko and Kwameseikrom basic schools, saying the programme coupled with the capitation grants had led to increased enrolment in schools in the district.

On health, the DCE said the Assembly had sponsored 27 health trainees to help in health care delivery in the district, while 39,000 persons representing 42 per cent of the district population had been registered under the Mutual Health Insurance Scheme.

To ensure provision of potable water for the people, Mr. Apraku Tanor said the Assembly had sunk 34 new boreholes in the district. Since 2002, he said, 15 public and 26 institutional places of convenience have been constructed in the district, while 20 new sanitary labourers have been employed and supplied with wheelbarrows, rakes, spades, shovels, Wellington boots and hand gloves as well as the provision of refuse containers at vantage points.

Mr. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, described President J.A Kufuor's election as Chairman of the African Union as a big credit to the NPP government.

He explained that President Kufuor's penchant for the promotion of good governance, freedom of speech, the rule of law and the promotion of human rights had won him the confidence of African leaders.

The Regional Minister reiterated the need for the redenomination of the cedi by the government, saying it was imperative to strengthen the value of the local currency.

He explained that the proposed implementation of the National Identification System would make Ghanaians identify themselves well in any part of the world and provide a credible data for non-Ghanaians as well.

During question time, Kofi Twum Barimah asked about why the price fixing of cashew was left to be determined by Indian businessmen rather than the government as it did to cocoa.

Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Minister of Railways, Ports and Harbours, gave the assurance that the government was working in consultation with a German company to help address the problem. Mr. Nsiah Agyemang in a question asked why the Drobo Post Office was not opened for public use since its construction to which Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of State at the Office of the President and MP for Sunyani West said he had held discussions with the Drobomanhene and Professor Mike Ocquaye, Minister of Communications over the issue and expressed the hope that the matter would be resolved soon. Answering a question on the poor reception of GTV signals in the area, Mr. Adjei-Darko promised to contact the management of GBC over the issue.

Kwaku Dapaah of Drobo emphasized the need for the District Assembly to intensify its revenue mobilization efforts by plugging all loop-holes which stifled the smooth collection of revenue in the area. GNA