Creation of new districts is to speed up development

Nyinahin (Ash), Oct 6, GNA - The creation of new districts was to speed up development of the entire nation and not for mere political gains, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has said. Addressing an emergency meeting of the newly created Atwima-Mponua district assembly at Nyinahin in Ashanti on Tuesday, Mr Boafo said nation building is a herculean task, which must not be placed on any individual or any small corporate entity.

He said, "Whilst the government of President Kufuor is leaving no stone unturned to bring smiles unto our faces, we as citizens must reciprocate by contributing our quota towards nationhood".

The Regional Minister, who is also the acting District Chief Executive for the district, said if the assembly could meet the hopes and aspirations of the constituents, then it behoved on it to meet its tax obligation.

"I am reliably informed that for sometime now revenue from taxes from Mponua has not been encouraging enough. Payment of property rates and special levies are the most affected. I will therefore urged you as an assembly to double your efforts in revenue mobilisation", he said. Mr Boafo announced that very soon the assembly will be provided with a tractor-towing refuse container to improve upon sanitation at Nyinahin, the district capital, adding that, he has already given approval for the hiring of both residential and office accommodation for key staff posted to man the district.

The acting DCE reminded the assembly members that there is more the NPP government could provide if "we all decide to maintain President Kufuor and his party in power in the impending December 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections".