I will not be school master -Reg. Minister

Accra, May 31, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister-designate, on Wednesday said he would not be "a school master with the whip but a team player for development, when his nomination is approved by Parliament."

He said the pieces of legislation like the Local Government Act and sections of the Constitution that give birth to the position of the Regional Minister does not confer on it the role of a "superintendent".

Mr Owusu-Ansah, who was answering questions before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee in Parliament said he would use his knowledge of the region and the relationship he has courted with the chiefs and people as a means to achieve development in the region. "One principle that I have always cherish is that the development of any nation is not the duty of one person."

The Minister-designate said he would see to the reactivation of the jute and shoe factories and the City Hotel.

"I know that a Czechoslovakian investor has shown interest in the shoe factory. I also know some Libyan investors have shown interest in the city hotel project. The City Hotel would add up to a number of rooms needed for the CAN 2008, which Kumasi would play a crucial part." Mr Owusu-Ansah said the Ashanti Region was noted for the production of maize and other grains, hence the need for an active jute factory to make and supply sacks to farmers.

"I think that this reality must have informed Dr Kwame Nkrumah to build the jute factory in Ashanti."

He cautioned those, who rear animals in Kumasi for that matter, the whole region to pen them, since his administration would not tolerate the free movement of animals in city centres.

The Minister-designate also asked all contractors, who have unduly delayed on their jobs to finish up or pay back monies collected.