Government revenue hits 18 trillion

Agona Duakwa (C/R), Dec 6, GNA - Government revenue through tax rose from 3.5 trillion cedis in 2000 to 18 trillion cedis within the four years of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration. This was achieved through the prudent management by the Government's Economic Management Team, which plugged all loopholes, Mr John Kwesi Agyabeng, District Chief Executive for Agona, has said.

Speaking at separate rallies at Agona Nsaba and Agona Duakwa to round off the 2004 Electioneering Campaign in the area, Mr Agyabeng asked Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the Government.

Mr Agyabeng, who is also the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Agona East, said the Government equitably distributed the funds in the sectors of education, health, road construction and poverty reduction initiatives to improve the living standards of the people.

He said the Government also stopped resources, which were previously going into individual pockets thus depriving the people from getting basic social amenities.

The NPP had built more school blocks and provided infrastructure and facilities such as health centres and potable water throughout the country to improve living conditions, he said.

Mr Agyabeng asked the electorate to vote massively in Tuesday's elections for President John Agyekum Kufuor and the NPP to enable the Government to continue its good work to reduce poverty. The NPP Candidate called on the people to embrace the National Health Insurance Scheme by paying their premium of 6,000 cedis per month for the smooth take off the scheme.

He said that the Government had provided a substantial amount of money to begin the scheme excluding the 250 million cedis paid to the District Assembly for administrative and other preparatory work.

Nana Kojo Amoakwa Boadu, Chief of Duakwa, expressed regret that some party officials failed to interact with traditional rulers when Mr Agyabeng and the NPP executives called on him at his palace.

He said although the Constitution did not allow chiefs to take active part in politics they could advise to ensure peace and stability. Nana Boadu urged the electorate and party supporters to endeavour to make the elections violence-free to enable the country's democracy to grow.