President Mills vow to reduce armed robbery

Obuasi (Ash), Nov.7, GNA - President John Fiifi Atta Mills has vowed to ensure that the security agencies are adequately equipped to sustain the fight to significantly bring down armed robbery in the country. He said there is no way the Government would allow miscreants to take the nation hostage with brazen impunity and terrorize the law abiding citizens. President Mills said he was happy that the past four months has seen a decline in armed robbery cases, adding, this is something, Ghanaians have to appreciate.

He was addressing a durbar held in his honour by the chiefs and people of Adansi at the Black Park in Obuasi on Saturday, to round-off his three-day official working visit to the Ashanti Region.

Presisident Mills was in the region to thank the people for giving him and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) the mandate to govern the country, and to learn at first hand their pressing problems and concerns.

He was accompanied by senior government Officials, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as party functionaries. President Mills assured the people of Adansi that they would not be denied their fair share of development and urged them to continue to support and remain loyal to the government.

He said with the elections over, there was the need for all to join hands, show love to one another and demonstrate commitment and hard work to build the country. President Mills said there should not be any doubt that if Ghanaians worked with unity of purpose, transparency and integrity there was "nothing we cannot achieve."

On jobs, he said investors have started coming in and with the introduction of the Youth in Agriculture Programme, there was hope. Mr Joe Gidisu, Minister of Road and Transport, announced that the Government was negotiating for funds from Japan to continue the construction of the Anhwiankwanta-Bekwai-Yamoransa road.

He said the road network in the Obuasi Municipality would also be improved and a new bridge built to replace the weak one over the Pra River at Adansi-Praso.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, NDC General Secretary, said plans were far advanced for the establishment of an orange juice processing plant in Obuasi.

He said efforts were also being made to promote understanding and harmony between AshantiGold and small scale miners in the area to reduce friction.

Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, Ashanti Regional Minister, praised the chiefs and people for their support for the party.

Okofo Sobin Kan Ababio, acting President of the Adansi Traditional Council, and Chief of Dompoase, appealed to the Government repair roads in the area and ensure that stool land royalties were paid to the chiefs on time.

He also called on government to upgrade the Fomena Community Nursing Training School and provided it with transport, additional classrooms and hostels.