Don't form groups to rival unit committees - MP

Klefe (Volta Region), 6 Jan. '99,

It is unlawful for any community to form, promote and encourage town development committees to rival unit committees. Mr Kofi Attor, Member of Parliament for Ho-Central, stressed this at the weekend when he met a number of communities in the constituency to explain the functions of the unit committees, the Value Added Tax and the state of development in the constituency and the Volta Region. Mr Attor explained the 15 main functions of the unit committees, and added that unit committees could take up other functions as circumstances demand. He said each unit committee is allowed to form sub-committees like the district assemblies to tackle specific problems. Mr Attor warned the unit committees not to take over the functions of chiefs, whose support they should seek in the effective discharge of their duties. He, therefore, charged the committees to hold regular consultations with chiefs and urged the people to exchange ideas and information for transparency and popular participation in decision-making and implementation. On the Value Added Tax , Mr Attor said it will affect only those who indulge in ''above-average life-styles and tastes''. It is for this reason that the government has exempted some categories of goods and services from VAT because they affect the lives of the average Ghanaian. GRi