DCE advocates special fund for new districts

Lambussie, Jan. 4, GNA - Government has been asked to establish a special fund under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), for the development of newly created districts in the northern part of the country.

Mr. Clement B. Benin, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Lambussie/Karni, who made the appeal, expressed worry that there was no seed money for the development of such districts, widening the development gap between them and the old ones.

He was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of the Lambussie Traditional Area, organised to commemorate the "Mifele" festival, at Lambussie at the weekend.

Mr. Benin said: "Old districts are well positioned to accelerate development than the new ones because they have enjoyed support from the government and non-governmental organisations." He said since the SADA was aimed at bridging the development gap between the northern and southern parts of Ghana, it would be justifiable to consider bridging the gap between the poor and the rich within the same geographical areas.

Mr. Benin asked the people to invest in the construction of residential accommodation adding that currently workers refused postings to the district because of inadequate office and residential accommodation. The DCE said those who accepted posting to the district stayed at Nandom and commuted daily to work, which according to him affected productivity.

Mr. Benin suggested the establishment of an Education Endowment Fund for the district to assist brilliant but needy students to complete their education.

He appealed to the Police and Department of Social Welfare to work as a team to prevent the elopement of girls in the area and called on the traditional rulers to eliminate all obsolete cultural practices. Mr. Mark M.N. Dagbee, Upper West Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, advised chiefs to desist from giving unique cultural artefacts to foreigners.

He advised the people of Lambussie to use the celebration of the festival to foster peace and unity to attract investors for sustainable development.

Mr. Dagbee urged the chiefs and elders to revive all dormant festivals in the area to serve as a vehicle for social mobilisation and development. 4 Jan. 10 Attention recipients, item 02 ends first cast.