Regional News of Monday, 9 June 2003

Source: gna

Government gives 25.9 Billion cedis to Sekyere West

The Government has made available a total of 25.9 billion cedis to the Sekyere West District of Ashanti for development projects.

The amount was received in the form of District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), HIPC Relief Fund and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

Mr Thomas Edward Atakorah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) disclosed this when he addressed the First Ordinary Meeting of the Second Session of the Assembly at Asante Mampong last Friday.

He said, about 50 percent of the amount received was used to improve the infrastructure of Basic Schools in the district, which were in a deplorable state.

The DCE said 20 school buildings had been constructed and refurbished in over 28 farming communities in the district.

Mr. Atakorah indicated that about 20 percent of the money was devoted to health, whilst the remaining 30 percent was used in the area of agriculture, rural electrification, transportation, water supply, sanitation and disaster management.

The Funds, Mr Atakorah said had significantly improved the socio-economic status of the people in the district.

He emphasised that most of the rural dwellers, now have access to good drinking water as a result of numerous boreholes sunk in the area.

Mr Atakorah expressed joy that the government which came to power against the background of tottering national economy, had made a giant stride in its reconstruction agenda.

He however, expressed misgivings at the slow pace at which work on the Mampong town streets and that of Mampong to Kofiase road had progressed.

The DCE cautioned Edmark Construction, working on the two projects either to back up or lose the contracts.

Mr Samuel O. Kusi Appiah, the District Co-ordinating Director (DCD) implored the assembly members to encourage their people to rekindle their communal spirit.

Mr Kusi Appiah, urged the people not to dodge their tax payment obligation to the assembly, saying it will help sustain the development of the district.