"Repay Government Loans" - Minister

Kumasi, Nov. 4, GNA -Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister has called on beneficiaries of government credit facilities to endeavour to repay them in their own interest.

He said it was strange that people who take government loans do not show signs of repaying and behave as if the loans were donations. Mr. Boafo was speaking at a forum organised by Youth-In Action, a coalition of youth groups in Kumasi, in collaboration with the Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), dubbed, "Meet Your MP" in Kumasi on Monday.

The programme, which is being held in series, is aimed at giving the youth the chance to interact with their MP's to know their development plans and programmes and what the youth can also do to consolidate good governance in the constituencies.

Mr Boafo, who is the Member of Parliament for Subin warned all loan beneficiaries not to think that they can get away with the money and that every efforts will be made to get the money back. The Ashanti Regional Minister briefed the participants on the development projects he had undertake in the constituency, which include scholarships for needy students, social infrastructure, sanitation, health and roads.

He also explained to them the role of the MP and advised them to initiate their own projects so that they can merit continuous support from the government.

Mr Boafo called on "trotro" drivers in the metropolis to comply with the directives on the reduction in the number of passengers and also reverse to the old fares or face the consequence.

He, however, stressed the need for passengers to be bold to challenge drivers who try to charge above approved fares and possibly take their car numbers and report them to the police for action. The Regional Minister told the electorate that his doors are open to whoever has a problem and should therefore not hesistate to call on him with their problems for redress.

Mr Vincent Frimpong-Manu, Executive President of YIA said his organisation would continue to organise such programmes in the Metropolis and possibly extend it to all parts of the country. He asked the youth to be abreast with government policies and programmes so that they can contribute positively and effectively towards national development.