Minister expresses regret about misunderstandings

Odumase (B/A), Jan. 31, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment on Wednesday expressed regret about misunderstandings over the citing of capitals of the newly created municipal and district assemblies.

He appealed to the chiefs and people in such assemblies to demonstrate unity of purpose and help tackle diverse problems affecting the growth and development of their areas.

Mr Adjei-Darko was interacting with traditional authorities in the newly created Sunyani West district at its capital, Odumase. He explained that government's purpose of creating the new municipal and district assemblies was not to cause division among traditional authorities but rather to facilitate the pace of national development.

Mr Adjei-Darko said government had increased the municipal and district assemblies common fund and was also designing formulae for the construction of office accommodation for the new assemblies. He underscored the need for traditional authorities to educate their people about the importance to pay tax as that would enable the assembly to generate enough revenue for infrastructure development. Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, advised the chiefs to bury their differences and forge ahead in unity so they could contribute their quota towards the rapid development of the district.

Barima Minta Afari II, Chief of Chiraa, appealed to Mr Adjei-Darko to ensure that towns that fall under Sunyani West district benefit from development projects.

Representatives of Nsoatre traditional council, which last year protested against Odumase as the capital of the new district, did not attend the meeting.

Information reaching the Ghana News Agency later said the chiefs and people of Nsoatre were planning a demonstration ahead of the inauguration of the new district assembly. 31 Jan. 08