Assin Nsuaem-Kyekyewere (C/R), Oct. 31, GNA - Nana Attoh-Arthur, Central Regional Minister, has cautioned both elected and government-appointed assembly members not to assume the role of District Chief Executives.
They should also refrain from washing their 93dirty linen=94 in public through phone-in programmes, but always strive to delve deep into issues before issuing any statements. Nana Attoh-Arthur was addressing members of the Assin South District Assembly after they had been sworn into office by His Worship Eugene Obeng-Ntim, a Cape Coast magistrate, at an impressive ceremony at Assin Nsuaem-Kyekyewere on Monday.
It was co-chaired by Nana Kwame Nkyi, paramount chief of Assin Atandaso and Nana Tsibu Asare, paramount chief of Assin Apemanin to show a strong traditional backing to the district assembly concept. Nana Attoh-Arthur told both the retained and fresh assembly members that it was unacceptable for any of them to engage their District Chief Executives in what he described as "power struggling battle". He said the honourable position conferred on them by their election or appointment as district assembly members placed an onerous responsibility on them.
=93District assembly members must therefore focus their attention on formulating workable mechanisms that would accelerate the socio-economic and cultural development of the people in their administrative areas,=94 he said
Nana Attoh-Arthur made it clear that it was the duty of members' various district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to assist their Chief Executives to provide excellent service to people at the grassroots, and not to level wild allegations which, more often than not, proved to be false.
This way they would be helping to change the wrong perception most Ghanaians held about the district assembly concept and develop a strong faith, and confidence in the system.
The Regional Minister appealed to landowners at Assin Nsuaem-Kyekyewere area whose lands were taken over by the government for the establishment of the Assin South District Assembly Headquarters to withdraw the court action they had instituted against the Assembly for non payment for crop compensation.
Nana Attoh-Arthur assured the affected landowners and farmers that the government would pay every compensation that had been agreed upon. He drew the attention of chiefs and people in the area to the fragile nature of the Assin South District Assembly and called for maximum support, co-operation and understanding to ensure its speedy and effective growth.
Nana Attoh-Arthur also promised to assist leaders of Assin Atandaso and Assin Apemanim traditional councils and authorities of Assin South District Assembly to find an answer to the problem which led to the closure of the plywood factory in the area.
Nana Attoh-Arthur had earlier read President J A Kufuor's address which stated that "any assembly member who used his or her position to secure contracts or indulge in any conflict of interest scandal would be sanctioned without fear or favour."
The thirty-two member Assembly later renewed the mandate of the former Presiding Member of the Assembly, Mr Anthony Arthur by a majority decision of 31 votes with one against.
In a short address, Mr. Arthur thanked members for the confidence and trust reposed in him and promised to team up with the District Chief Executive Madam Millicent Alice Kuranchie and the entire assembly members to initiate policies and programmes that would benefit the people.
