Constructive criticism promotes democracy - Minister

Nkwabeng, (B/A) Aug 1, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, has said the government could be criticized but the criticisms should be constructive and not insulting. This, he said, was because every human being is fallible, and only the Almighty God is infallible.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo was speaking at a durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Nkwabeng and its surrounding communities in the Nkoranza South District to precede a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of 5.8 kilometres Odomase-Nkwabeng-Brahoho-Akuma and Abuentem feeder road, on Friday. The surface dressing project being funded under the COCOBOD-funded Roads Improvement Projects (CFRIP) in the Region is estimated at about GHc2.1 million.

Two Accra-based road construction firms, Jalexberg Limited and Otuboat Limited are executing it within a year.

The Regional Minister said political power could not won by insulting political opponents and advised that the insult culture that had now crept into the political landscape must stop as it only created bitterness and rancour, division and instability in the society. The practice of democratic governance was about divergent views and tolerance of each other's views, which must be the basis to entrench and move it forward, he stated. Without that the unity and cohesion within the social fabric of the society could not be maintained, he explained.

Mr. Nyamekye Marfo reiterated that the government would not renege on its primary mandate and responsibility to provide social and economic amenities to improve upon the lives of the people and that commitment had been manifested through the numerous developmental projects being undertake= n all over the country.

The Regional Minister appealed to the leaders and people of the communities to cooperate with the contractors for the smooth and successful execution of the project.

Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Nkoranz= a South, earlier in an address said the commencement of the project had nullified the belief by the people that it was impossible to rehabilitate that stretch of road due to its 93serious" state of disrepair over the y= ears. He said the people in the localities could now breathe a sigh of relie= f because 93the road described by them as 91undoable' (impossible) is now= doable (possible)". Mr. Agyekum urged the people to be objective, confident and positive-minded in all their endeavours since that guaranteed success in every enterprise. The DCE said that 86 different developmental projects had been undertaken in the district within the two-and-half-year rule of the NDC government and encouraged the electorate to elect leaders who would bring improvement in their lives. He advised parents and guardians to place premium on the education of their children as the best investment they could make for the betterment of their future lives.