?10bn Earmarked for Women in Business

The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs last week hinted that ?10 billion is to be disbursed to women in the country to establish their own business.

This came to light when Mrs. Gladys Asmah addressed the assembly members of the Sunyani District Assembly at Sunyani during the assembly's inauguration.

The minister, who read the President's inaugural address, added that to avoid post-harvest loss of tomato products, the government has imported machines to preserve tomatoes in the country and one of the machines will be sited at Wenchi.

According to the minister, each machine can produce one tonne of tomato a day.

He was happy to witness many women elected to the assembly and urged them to discharge their duties successfully.

She disclosed that New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is still working to get Sunyani district to a municipal status.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, indicated that it is time for the district to be upgraded to a municipal status.

He appealed to chiefs in the area to continue to support the activities and policies of the assembly.

He warned that they desist from chieftiancy disputes, but continue to offer their advice to the assembly since they are all stakeholders in the development of the district.

The DCE told them to play a pivotal role in organizing their people for communal activities and promotion of peace and unity among their people since these are essential ingredients for development.

Mr. Baffour Awuah said it is not the duty of the assembly members to establish and preside over any quasi-court in their locality but rather the law courts are there to do that.

He called on them to work hard to prevent any problem that may derail the process of development in the district or in their electoral areas.

According to the DCE, the former assembly has done their part in the development of the district.

He commend them for their efforts and urged the new ones to continue from where they left.

Mr. Baffour said some of the members in the past chose to stay behind in the cities and enjoy their comfort rather than be with the people who voted for them.

He said the assembly's policies and programmes are encouraging, but "there is more room for improvement."