Defaulters of poverty Alleviation Fund to be prosecuted

The Agona District Assembly has given one week ultimatum to defaulters of the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) and Youth in Agriculture to settle their debts or face legal action.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Agona Swedru, the District Secretary, Mr John K. Agyabeng said groups and individuals owe a total of 428 million cedis and have refused to pay back as required by law governing the disbursement of the scheme.

Mr Agyabeng said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development gave directives to all traditional rulers to beat gong-gong to inform defaulters to pay before May five but to no avail.

He said about 95 per cent of monies disbursed went to some members of National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The DCE said the poverty alleviation and Youth in Agriculture funds concept which were mooted out to help the rural folks who were in dire need, rather benefited public workers who were not entitled to the scheme.

Mr Agyabeng said the assembly has initiated moves with the Circuit court and Community tribunal in the district for the defaulters to be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has given landlords up to December this year to provide toilet facilities in their houses or face prosecution.

Mr Agyabeng said some landlords have refused to provide such facilities toilet thus putting more pressure on the public toilets.

He said the World Bank, under the Urban Three Project has provided funds to pay 75 per cent of the total cost for provision of facilities he, therefore, advised landlords to take advantage of the fund.

The DCE warned that those who are putting up new buildings without toilet facility would have their building plans rejected.