Atebubu (B/A), June 20, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has urged civil and public servants to exhibit loyalty to government and work hard enough towards the achievement of the goals of its Better Ghana agenda.

He urged them to avoid partisan politics in the discharge of their duties and to eschew negative traits like absenteeism, malingering and corrupt practices to enable government to work towards making life bearable for all Ghanaians. The Regional Minister was addressing heads of department at separate meeting during a four day tour of Sene, Pru and Atebubu-Amantin districts in the region. Accompanied by Mr Felix Chahaah, Chief Director at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), some officials of the RCC and media personnel, the Minister inspected development projects in the communities and schools during the tour.

Mr Nyamekye Marfo explained that government faced a number of challenges and it was incumbent on all Ghanaians, especially those in government to redouble their efforts and to work conscientiously "to enable us to realize the goals of the NDC manifesto. "You are the oil that lubricates the engine for the realization of the goals of the Better Ghana Agenda and I entreat you to work to promote this agenda of the government of the day" he said. The Regional Minister advised the heads to maintain a cordial relationship with their subordinates and to ensure discipline amongst them so they could maximize their outputs. The heads enumerated challenges facing their various departments, which included lack of adequate means of transportation, office and accommodation. Mr Nyamekye gave the assurance that government was determined to help to improve the situation and that the tour was to enable the RCC to know at first hand such problems for their solution. At Yeji, capital of Sene district, the Regional Minister urged security agencies to organize frequent patrols to complement the efforts of the traditional security services to protect the people, especially traders against armed robbery and other miscreants.

The Minister and his entourage also called on all the traditional authorities in the three districts and assured them of the government's determination to help improve the living standards of the people through the completion of development projects. Pimampim Yaw Kabrese V, Paramount Chief of Yeji Traditional Area appealed to the Minister for the rehabilitation of roads in the area. He also called on him for work to be expedited on development projects, some of which had come to a standstill.

The chiefs and people in the three districts explained that the deplorable state of roads in the area was affecting socio-economic development. Mr Nyamekye Marfo appealed to the traditional authorities to ensure that chieftaincy disputes were resolved amicably to accelerate the development of their areas. He announced government plans to rehabilitate two kilometers each of roads at Yeji, Sampa in Jaman North District and Goaso and warned that contractors, who delayed projects, would have their contracts terminated. The Regional Minister said government was continuing with all viable projects initiated by the previous government and urged parents to give top priority to the education of their children. Nana Owusu Acheaw Brempong II, Omanhene of Atebubu Traditional Area indicated that there was total peace in the area after the resolution of the impasse over the appointment of the District Chief Executive, Sanja Nanja. "Let's maintain the current understanding and co-operation for sustained progress", he said, and called on the Minister to help to improve the standard of education through the provision of school facilities. Mr Nyamekye Marfo commended the chiefs and people for their acceptance of the DCE, which he said was a challenge to the latter to perform to the satisfaction of the people.

He expressed the hope that the chiefs and people would continue to support the DCE to work for progress in the area in line with the government's agenda. At the Atebubu Senior High School, the Regional Minister at a meeting with the students advised them to avoid drugs, smoking, early sex and other negative practices that could jeopardize their education. Sanja Nanja announced that under a four year programme the water supply system in the school would be improved, as well as the provision of infrastructures in the institution. The Regional Minister announced at Kwame Danso, capital of Sene District work on the rehabilitation of the Atebubu-Kwame Danso road would begin in two months.

Nana Adu Atta Ababio, Omanhene of Wiase Traditional Area in the district expressed concern that the deplorable state of the road had made the people, who are predominantly farmers, poorer as they could not convey their produce to the marketing centres and as a result the goods get rotten on their farms. The situation of the road has aggravated the plight of the people, he said, adding, staff of institutions refused postings to the area because of the bad nature of the road. 20 June 10