Asabee Dares Rawlings

THE MINISTER of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng has dared ex-president Jerry Rawlings to back his pronouncements with action.

He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government would not spare anyone who tried to destabilize the current political system.

Commenting on DAILY GUIDE's report on the former president's remarks in The Hague, the minister lamented the presence of a few people who loved to create insecurity and unnecessary tension in the country with a view to tarnishing the country's image at the least opportunity.

He noted that Government would not be distracted by Rawlings' deliberate attitude to throw it off gear, but would rather focus on more important issues.

Asamoah-Boateng reassured Ghanaians that the country's security systems were rock-solid and remained unshakeable.

He asserted that Ghana was moving forward, and anyone who said anything to the contrary, was not being honest.

Asamoah-Boateng observed that the relatively peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by Ghanaians was an indication that the country was poised for progress.

He said even the favour and respect accorded Ghanaian nationals abroad was enough testimony that Ghana was making a headway.

The minister, who was on an official tour of the Brong Ahafo region, was speaking at separate gatherings in Brekum and Sunyani.

He said Ghanaians need not fear any of such miscreant pronouncements by the former head of state.

The minister also used the opportunity to appeal to the people of Chiraa and Nsuatre, suburbs in the Sunyani municipality, to come to a consensus as regards the district capital if the opportunity was given them.

The minister made this appeal when the Sunyani MCE, Tumasi Appiah observed that since the district was upgraded to the status of a Municipality, its common fund had not been increased.

However, Asamoah-Boateng said an additional district was to be created within the Municipality, but for the dissentions that arose among the locals, regarding the citing of the district capital.

He assured the people that as soon as the chiefs and decision-makers were able to resolve their differences, the new district would be created.

The minister also urged members of the general public to change their attitude, where refuse disposal was concerned.

He said the issue of waste management had become more of an attitudinal problem than of funding and disclosed that government in the foreseeable future would initiate systems by which liquid waste could be recycled into drinking water.

He said when all was set, polythene bags would be distributed to households where inhabitants would be required to separate solid waste from the liquid and also plastics from the organic waste, which he believed would make it easier for sanitary workers to do their job effectively with less stress.

Hon. Asamoah-Boateng, in the company of the regional minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the MCE and some assembly members, inspected some projects of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, including a guest house at the cost of ¢650 million, a ¢460 million National Health Insurance office, staff quarters, and a court office valued at ¢500 million.

Also at Jinijini in the Brekum District, they inspected a community water project funded by the World Bank at the cost of ¢4 billion.
The concrete reservoir was projected to serve the people for a period of 15years and provide a total of 1,500 cubic litres of water a day. A pumping station was also inspected.

The Brekum District Chief Executive, Kwabena Kyere Yeboah was delighted with the visit of the Local Government Minister and used the opportunity to make some requests.

Key among his requests was an appeal to Asamoah-Boateng to help install the remaining two of the six transformers which the assembly bought for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to enable it generate more power and extend electricity to other communities in the locality.

He appealed to the Local Government Minister to consider upgrading his district to a municipal status- a suggestion which pleased most assembly members, as it attracted several rounds of applause and a standing ovation.

Hon Asamoah Boateng would be visiting other districts such as Wenchi, Tain, Atebubu Amantin, Pru, Nkoranza and the turbulent Sene District where he hoped to use his good offices to resolve a misunderstanding between the District Chief Executive, Ms. Cynthia Tititriku-Danso, the MP for the area, Tumasi Appiah and the chiefs and people of the area.