Regional Minister denies allegation

Enchi (W/R), Jan. 27 - GNA- Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, on Thursday denied allegations that there is not enough funds in the system to pay for cocoa purchases and bonus to cocoa farmers. The Regional Minister, who was speaking at a Peoples' Assembly at Enchi in the Aowin-Suaman District, he said the government has made funds available for payment of bonus and cocoa purchases.

Mr. Amoah said, "nobody who says there is no money to pay the bonus and cocoa purchases is lying".

He said, the payment of bonus has started, but the problem is that some cocoa farmers do not have passbooks to indicate the amount of cocoa purchased.

Mr. Amoah said there is no evidence to indicate that chemicals meant for the mass cocoa spraying exercise in the area have been diverted. He said the government is prepared to investigate cases of diversion of chemicals for the spraying exercise if people could substantiate their allegations.

Mr. Amoah said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has embarked on a nation-wide tree-planting project. He said people who participate in the project would be given food rationing and token allowance.

Mr. Amoah urged the youth to take advantage of the project as well as the National Youth Employment Programme and other avenues to get organised to assist in national development.

He spoke against illegal felling of trees in forest reserves and advised chiefs, Members of Parliament and District Assemblies to identify those involved to enable them arrange meetings to discuss payment of royalties and social obligations.

Mr. Amoah announced that the 56 kilometre Enchi-Asankrangwa road has been awarded to a Chinese Company, Top Construction Limited, at a cost of about 1 point 2 million dollars.

Mr. Kingsley Ofori-Asante, the District Chief Executive, said development has come to the area and this would be sustained. He said the assembly with support from its development partners have undertaken numerous educational and social projects.

These included construction of 58 hand-dug in 47 communities and 82 bore-holes in 65 communities, Mr. Ofori-Asante said.

Many people who attended the assembly complained contractors working in the area are not performing.