No new districts now - Baah-Wiredu

The Government would not be in a position to create new districts in the immediate future, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development said at the weekend.

Speaking at a fund-raising harvest of Obo citizens resident in the Accra-Tema Metropolis, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the creation of new districts was very expensive adding that it would cost the government not less than 10 billion cedis to create one.

He said, however, that some additional districts would be created whenever the need arose and funds were available.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said everything possible would be done to ensure equitable disbursement of the District Assemblies' Common Fund so that districts with more constituencies would be fairly treated.

The Minister gave the assurance that the government would not shirk its responsibility of providing rural communities with basic infrastructure to help raise their standard of living.

Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, Eastern Regional Minister said he would ensure that roads in the region were rehabilitated during his tenure of office.

He said school structures would be renovated and water supply in the communities improved.

Barima Adansi Twum, Head of the Obo Community in the Metropolis, reminded Kwahus that the destiny of the area laid on their shoulders and said they should take the initiative for the government to supplement their efforts.

He said a community centre complex under construction at Obo would be commissioned by Easter next year.

Nana Yeboah Afari Boagyan, Obohene, urged citizens of the town to attend meetings and urged those who have not registered to do so.

Mr Emmanuel T Obeng, Executive Chairman of Digitronix, a computer firm, who made a single contribution of 10 million cedis, urged the people to do away with divisive tendencies.

He said they should unite to enhance development in the area.

A total of 77 million cedis was realised in aid of development projects at Obo.