Wenchi (B/A), Jan 30, GNA - Mr. Rex Owusu-Ansah, Head of Local Government Service, has expressed concern about the irresponsible handling of government properties by succeeding Chief Executives for Wenchi Municipality in Brong Ahafo.
He condemned the apparent inaction by the Chief Executives that had allowed almost completed buildings for some departments to remain abandoned for close to 15 years and exposed to the mercy of reptiles, rodents and drug addicts, whereas these departments occupy properties that could be conveniently allocated to others. Speaking during a working tour of the Municipal Assembly offices, Mr. Owusu-Ansah expressed regret that "nobody takes responsibility for government property" and enjoined the Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Bintu Farizana and staff to help reverse the situation. Present at the meeting were Mr. George Owusu, Municipal Planning Officer and Mr. Owusu Boateng, Deputy Municipal Co-ordinating Director. The Local Government Service boss stressed that the elevation of the district to a municipal status demanded unalloyed responsibility to duty to merit the trust and confidence reposed in the performance of the Assembly.
Mr Owusu-Ansah said as the acting President of Wenchi Traditional Council his visit was also to express the Council's appreciation for the elevation. "It is a challenge to us to ensure that the Assembly is adequately staffed and performs better".
Mr Owusu-Ansah, who also chairs the Board of Directors of Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the Board had authorized the establishment of a branch office of the Agency in Wenchi ahead of this year's presidential and parliamentary elections. "Wenchi is a very important town in Brong Ahafo and Ghana politics and we intend to close the existing vacuum in news coverage in the area. "GNA occupies an enviable position in the dissemination of news on both the local and international scene and as a prime media house, it cannot be denied the chance to cover every blade in the news terrain to sell the country abroad and to inform our countrymen about global changes and happenings," Mr Owusu-Ansah reiterated. He called on the Municipal Chief Executive to accede to GNA's request for the establishment of an office in Wenchi, which he described as the 'Mecca' of the ruling New Patriotic Party politics. Wenchi is the home town of the late Dr. K. A. Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic, having won the 1969 general election on the ticket of the Progress Party of the Danquah-Busia tradition. Mr. Owusu-Ansah deplored the dependence of some district and municipal assemblies on the Common Fund, saying that could not help them to achieve set goals and called for the maximum generation of revenue internally to adequately supplement the Fund.
He urged the staffs of the municipal administration to support efforts towards the rapid development of the area and eschew tendencies and practices that tend to stall such efforts. Hajia Farizana expressed the Assembly's appreciation to the government for its elevation and gave the assurance that the GNA would be given office accommodation. She noted that the municipal staff needed some sort of training with the elevation of the Assembly to become resourceful enough "to support our desire to fulfil our elevation to the municipal status".
