Defence Minister stresses need for unity

Kumasi, April 24, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, has underscored the need for unity to enable it to maintain its status as one of the most peaceful countries in the sub-region.

He noted that Ghana's ability to sustain its young democracy up to this time had not come easily and that there was the need to strengthen the existing unity.

Dr Addo-Kufuor, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia, said this when he inspected a number of projects in the constituency in Kumasi on Saturday.

Among the projects he inspected were the 600 million-cedi Dichemso community library and computer training centre being funded from his share of the common fund with assistance from Nana Akwasi Agyemang, former Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive.

So far about 250 million cedis had been spent on the project, which is expected to be completed this year.

He also inspected a 190 million-cedi 20-seater water closet facility at New Tafo (Krofofrom), which was also constructed with funds from his share of the common fund and a two-kilometre Moshie Zongo-Buokrom road, which is under reconstruction and being financed by the World Bank at the cost of three billion cedis.

Dr Addo-Kufuor also inspected a two-kilometre KO-Kejetia road reconstruction also being funded by the World Bank at the cost of 2.4 billion cedis and expected to be completed this year.

He called on Ghanaians to develop good maintenance culture so as to ensure longer life span of the facilities that had been provided and those that are being provided to double the pace of development.

"We cannot always use scarce resources at our disposal for maintenance when we could use the money to provide development projects elsewhere because of negligence".

Nana Akwasi Agyemang reiterated his unflinching support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and gave the assurance that he will continue to initiate development projects.

He said due to his commitment to raising the standard of education in the constituency, he was liasing with some philanthropists and UNICEF to assist the constituency with the provision of computers, books and youth training centres. 24 Apr. 04