"I will not undermine the Constitution" - President Mills

Buipe, (N/R),Dec 6, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on Sunday promised Ghanaians that he would not do anything to undermine the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

The President stressed that although he welcomed suggestions and criticisms that were well intentioned, he would not do anything against the Constitution.

President Mills made the promise when performed the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Savanna Cement Company Limited (SAVACEM), at Buipe in the Central Gonja District.

The President made these remarks against the background of criticisms from within his own party and outside his party with regards to the perceived slow pace at which his government was tackling the country's problems.

Reacting also to the perception that he was somehow not in control of affairs, President Mills declared: "I am in charge".

President Mills said he would soon summon a meeting to address pertinent issues and developments in the country.

He said Ghanaians had given him the mandate to run the affairs of the country for four years and as such his performance should not be judged by activities of a period of 10 months.

President Mills said there was ample evidence of progress being made in the country adding that it was only people who refused to see that did not appreciate it and cited improvement in the agriculture sector and the establishment of SAVACEM.

Mr. Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, noted that for decades the mining industry had been concentrated in the South and hoped that with the coming into being of SAVACEM the trend would be reversed.

He said government placed emphasis on participation of local people in projects like SAVACEM and appealed to management of the Company to award contracts for services such as catering, security, transportation and haulage to local companies.

Mr Dauda also asked SAVACEM to employ the youth of Buipe in to improve upon their income levels and reduce poverty.

Mr. Motapari Prasad, Managing Director of SAVACEM, said the Project was estimated to cost more than 300 US dollars.

He said the Buipe limestone deposit was discovered as far back as 1913 and in 1996 the Company was formed to work on it.

GNA