Afigya-Kwabre District Assembly Inaugurated

Kodie (Ash), March 1, GNA - The new Afigya-Kwabre District Assembly in Ashanti was on Friday inaugurated at Kodie, the capital, with a call on the people to work assiduously to develop the area. Mr. Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister of Defence, who represented President John Agyekum Kufuor, also asked key players in the new administration to remain in good terms with the old district assemblies.

The ceremony was attended by many people, including traditional authorities, assembly members, District Chief Executives (DCE's), and heads of Departments from Kwabre West and Afigya-Sekyere East constituencies which formed form the new district. Mr Kan-Dapaah told the people not to allow party politics to divide their ranks. "You should be one at all levels and see how best you can raise the political and economic development of the district". He enumerated achievements of the government in the areas of basic amenities such as electricity, roads, education and health, adding that the New Patriotic Party's achievements surpassed that of all previous governments.

He called on the District Assembly to reason together with traditional authorities to ensure proper and effective decentralization process to enhance the welfare of the people. Mr Ben Abankwa, Sekyere South District Chief Executive expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people to President Kufuor for honouring his promise of strengthening decentralization in the country by creating more new districts. Nana Owusu Panin Ababio, Chief of Kodie, appealed to the assembly members not to misuse the power entrusted to them but rather work hard with humility and respect to ensure systematic development of the district.

The 47 assembly members, sworn in by Mr David Akalaare Azongweo, District Magistrate, later elected Mr Karikari Appau, a government Appointee as Presiding Member.