Minister charges DCE's to use Assembly resources to reduce poverty

Kumasi, Aug. 16, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has challenged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to use the assembly resources effectively and efficiently to reduce poverty in the communities.

He said the level of poverty in the rural areas was unacceptable and as such it was their duty to ensure that the trend was reversed. Mr Boafo was speaking at the swearing-in of 20 confirmed District Chief Executives in Kumasi on Tuesday.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is yet to be given a Chief Executive and Madam Patricia Appiagyei, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister doubles as the Metro Chief Executive.

The Regional Minister called for the education of the people, saying, it should be their priority and that when "we are able to give proper education to our people, we can be sure of eliminating poverty indirectly from our communities".

Mr Boafo reminded them that the purpose for setting up the assemblies was to ensure the full involvement of the people at the local communities in the decision making process bellying the socio-economic development of the communities themselves.

"The success of this initiative undoubtedly, still depends upon the values which the members of the assemblies and DCEs bring to bear on the performance of their duties".

The Regional Minister said the values he referred to were honesty, dedication, commitment, firmness, probity, accountability, zeal and responsiveness among others.

Mr Boafo told them that their confirmation was an indication that they had been identified to have the capacity to change the lives of the people, adding that it was therefore his expectation that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Mr Justice Kwame Ansu-Gyeabour, Supervising High Court Judge in Kumasi, swore the DCEs into office and urged them to be fair and firm in their decisions and be prepared to protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Mr Joseph Kwadwo Boampong, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive on behalf of his colleagues expressed their appreciation to the President for the confidence he had reposed in them and pledged to work hard to justify it.