Chief suggests introduction of cinema vans in all districts

Bechem, Nov. 5, GNA - Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto I, Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area, has called for the re-introduction of the Cinematograph Section of the Information Services Department (ISD) to ensure that people at the grassroots become abreast with national issues.

The Omanhene made the call when Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, who is currently on a week's tour of Brong Ahafo called on him at his Palace on Tuesday.

He said the absence of the cinema facility is doing more harm than good to the government as government information does not reach the people at the grassroots as it used to be.

''Reliance on the radio, television and newspapers in the dissemination of government policies to people in the rural areas has not scored full marks.''

Nana Gyeabour suggested the allocation of a cinema van to each district in the country to enable the ISD officials to perform effectively.

The Omanhene complained bitterly about the lackadaisical manner in which the office of COCOBOD in Sunyani is treating the traditional council regarding a new agreement to cover the release of land for Bechem Agricultural Station.

Nana Gyeabour said the old agreement signed in 1977 had elapsed but management of COCOBOD "is dragging its feet" on the signing of a new agreement.

The old agreement elapsed 25 years ago and since then, COCOBOD has not paid anything to the Traditional Council as compensation, he said. The Omanhene called on the Deputy Minister to intervene before things got out of hand.

Nana Gyeabour said he did not understand why COCOBOD should continue to enjoy the sale of cocoa and coffee cultivated on the Demonstration Agriculture Station and blatantly ignore the traditional owners of the land.

"The land was released to pave way for employment for the youth in the area, among others, but the former government sacked the 4,000 workers on the farm with the false explanation that the land was no more viable."

Nana Gyeabour added that more than 15,000 palm trees on the land had also been sold to individual palm wine tapers.