Political differences weaken democracy-Oguaa MCE

Cape Coast, Aug. 13, GNA - The Mayor of Cape Coast, Mr Anthony Egyir Aikins, on Thursday, called on Assembly members to set aside their political differences and focus on evolving measures to deepen governance at the grass root level.

He stressed that it was time they worked together by sharing ideas and strategize, to strengthen the nation's weak social infrastructure and deepen democracy at the local level.

Mr Aikins, who made the call in an address on the state of the metropolis, at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly's sitting, called on all to eschew negative tendencies that undermine the efforts at developing the Metropolis, which include blackmailing others.

He said people should also desist from backbiting others and stressed that apathy, poor attitude to work and the lack of commitment, as well as bootlicking, were retarding the nation's growth, adding that, weak institutional arrangements have given way to a lot of waste in the system.

He called for a complete overhaul of the metropolis, which he described as 93sick" and called on the people to wake up and face the truth, instead of living in its past glories.

The Mayor said there was no need to rush the development process but to appreciate the problems, be circumspect and strategize for effective results, adding that, it was better to do the right thing once and for all, particularly in their quest to build a solid foundation to transform the Metropolis.

He mentioned some of the challenges facing the metropolis, to include the lack of physical infrastructure, youth unemployment, as well as poverty, and expressed concern about the unskilled youth in the area, who are rather, being selective as to the type of job they want to engage in.

He said land has been secured for the construction of a Technology Park and a factory as well as a warehouse for the Coca cola Bottling Company at Mpeasem, all in its efforts to generate employment in the area.

Mr Aikins said the Assembly will not tolerate or condone any wrongdoing in the Metropolis and that those who fall foul of the bye-laws will either be prosecuted or dealt with, adding that, it will not politicize its development agenda and processes.

He disclosed that the Assembly qualified for the District Development Fund facility, under the 2008 assessment, and has earned GH¢550,000 to support development projects in the area.

On education, he said plans are underway to supply 1,500 desks and 300 plastic chairs to some second cycle schools in the area and that 61 needy but brilliant students and five trainee nurses have received financial support from the Assembly, saying, a total of GH¢19,913.86 has been spent on their education since January, 2010.

On sanitation, he said the Assembly has taken delivery of 20 refuse containers and has distributed them to about 18 communities and that in collaboration with NADMO, it has undertaken a clean-up exercises in some areas to stem flooding.

The Presiding Member, Nana Kweku Awuku said the Assembly had chalked major successes in infrastructural development, particularly in the area of education and stressed that there was still more room for improvement.