B/A Minister Urged To Go To Parliament

Space FM, Adae Boriso-Nsoatre - The Chiefs and people of Adae Boriso near Nsoatre in the Sunyani Municipality have urged the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah to contest for the Sunyani West parliamentary seat since they solidly support him.

They argue that Mr. Baffour Awuah has exhibited sterling leadership qualities over the years and that they believe as a parliamentarian, he could further develop the constituency.

The people of Adae Boriso said these when the regional minister paid a visit to the area to learn at first hand some of their problems and how best to address them.

It was the first time in many years that a regional minister was visiting the area which is made up of mostly Ga settlers with farming as the major occupation.

The Assembly member for the Kodiakrom Electoral Area, Hon. Stephen Kyere, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of the area, Nii Bobi Oblitei Commey, said ever since Mr. Baffour Awuah became the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, through his tenure as Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister to his present position, he has initiated several development projects which have enhanced the socio-economic standards of many communities in the region.

“Mr. Baffour Awuah has really done a lot for the people of Sunyani and the Brong- Ahafo region and we strongly believe when he enters parliament he would further develop our constituency”, he said.

Hon. Kyere however on behalf of the people, appealed to the regional minister to assist in providing a clinic to facilitate healthcare delivery in the area. He said in emergency cases, patients have to be rushed over five miles to Nsoatre before receiving treatment. “The provision of a clinic would go a long way to save lives”, he stressed.

The assembly member added that another serious problem facing the community is the lack of maternity and labour wards in the area

He said the community midwives are compelled to deliver women in labour in their rooms which poses serious health problems. He therefore made an urgent appeal to the government to address the problem.

Other problems facing the community include the lack of portable drinking water and a market for farm produce.

Hon. Kyere also expressed worry about children refusing to attend school in the area because of poor performance of teachers posted to the area.

He said school children from the area prefer walking long distances to Nsoatre to attend school. He urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to immediately find a solution to the problem.

The Headmaster of the Presby Primary ‘B’, Mr. Solomon Antipim, appealed to all headmasters at Nsoatre not to admit children from Adae Boriso since that would undermine the work of their colleagues at Adae Boriso.

The headmaster said all teachers at Kwabena Kumi are to be transferred for non performance to serve as a warning to teachers posted to the area to live up to expectation.

The Brong-Ahafo regional minister, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, pointed out that public officials must frequently interact with the people they are leading. “Public officers must constantly interact with the people they are leading to build a harmonious relationship to enhance development”, he said. Mr. Baffour Awuah commended the chiefs and elders of the area for offering good leadership which has held the people united.

The regional minister appealed to the people to always have patience after they have made requests to the government for development projects. He explained that it takes time to complete formalities to execute projects.

Mr. Baffour Awuah assured the people that he would ensure that they are provided with the needed basic amenities in the shortest possible time to enhance standards of living.

He urged parents to invest the education of their children since quality education is the best legacy parents can give to their children.

“I urge you to take advantage of the Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme and send your children to school to enable them become useful citizens in the future”, the regional minister said.

He pointed out that parents must also provide maximum protection for their children to enable them realize their full potentials.

On the appeal to run for the Sunyani West parliamentary seat, Mr. Baffour Awuah said “when the time is ripe for me to declare my candidature, I would gladly do so knowing very well that the people of Adae Boriso are solidly behind me”. The Sunyani West seat is currently occupied by Hon. Kwadwo Adjei Darko, who has announced that he would step down in 2008.

A survey by Space FM shows that Mr. Baffour Awuah is a clear favourite for the Sunyani West seat with most of the people giving him their vote because of his charisma.

“The regional minister is very influential and has the people at heart even through his public speech”, said one respondent who sees Mr. Baffour Awuah as a real modern day politician who combines knowledge and humility to hold his people together for development.