The European Union (EU), has threatened to pull out of the Central Region if beneficiary districts fail to utilise 10 billion cedis allocated for the implementation of 115 projects under its Micro Projects Programme, this year.
The projects, sited in some selected districts, are mainly in the education, health and sanitation sectors.
Dr Kwaku Osafo, EU Project Manager for Ghana, gave the warning at a meeting with representatives of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly at Winneba, to discuss progress on nine development projects for needy communities in the area.
Dr Osafo deplored the slow pace at which the EU-assisted projects in the region were being implemented, and charged various implementation committees set up to oversee their speedy execution to intensify their supervisory roles.
He urged the assemblies to approach EU-assisted projects with great commitment, saying "you must do this from your hearts."
He also asked them to ensure that funds needed for the procurement of stone, sand and laterite to support the EU's 75 per cent contribution for each project, are made available to communities benefiting from the programme.
Dr Osafo said inspections conducted by his outfit showed that some needy communities where the EU-assisted projects were sited could not afford the number of trips of stone, sand and laterite required for the execution of the projects.
He, however, commended the efforts being made by the various communities in the execution of their projects and advised the district assemblies to play their part to enable the region to derive more support from the EU as further assistance would depend on their performance.
Dr Kweku Ghartey, Presiding Member of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly, and the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr G.B.Siilo, assured Dr. Osafo of the assembly's determination to ensure early completion of EU assisted projects.
