Asamankese, Dec. 21, GNA - The Chiefs of the West Akyem District of the Eastern Region have formed an association to assist the district assembly and the government to facilitate the development of the district.

Known as the West Akyem Divisional Council of Chiefs, the council will promote peace, harmony and unity among all sections of the people in the district and help create enabling environment for the progress and development of West Akyem District. Inaugurating the Council at Asamankese, the Oseawuohene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osabarima Atwere Bediako II, commended the chiefs for coming together to promote the greater good and welfare not only of the chiefs but also the entire people of the district.

The Oseawuohene called for peace in the district which was a pre-requisite for accelerated growth and development. Osabarima Bediako noted that the modern chief in present-day Ghana should be an agent of change, whose leadership should inspire his people to improve their lot. He called for closer co-operation between Chiefs, district assembly and unit committee members so that together they could improve the quality of life in their communities.

The Asamankese Chief, Osabarima Kwaku Amoah III and Chairman of the council commended the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Kwabena Sintim-Aboagye for mooting the idea of the formation of the council and for his assistance and encouragement to get the council inaugurated. He called on his fellow chiefs to be proactive in this computer age by leading their people to ensure the rapid development of their areas.

The DCE, Mr Sintim-Aboagye enumerated a number of projects and programmes being executed by the district assembly and the government to reduce the hardships facing the ordinary people. He said the Department of Feeder Roads had awarded 117 kilometres of roads in the district on contract for reshaping and work is expected to start next month.

The DCE said the assembly had undertaken major street lighting projects in most communities and had sourced additional 300 million cedis from the administrator of Common Fund for the third phase of the project, while a 5.8 million-dollar rural electrification programme was to be undertaken by Japan which would benefit 26 communities in the district.

On the Youth employment programme, Mr Sintim-Aboagye said it had taken off in the district and would help reduce the level of unemployment and offer hope and skills to the Youth. He appealed to all those who have not joined the district health insurance scheme to do so to benefit from affordable and quality health care.