Government is conscious of the needs of Ghanaians - MCE

Sunyani, Aug. 16, GNA - Mrs Richardson Ama Kumi, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), on Wednesday said Government is conscious of the needs of Ghanaians and will actualise all poverty reduction intervention programmes to help solve those needs.

She said the Government was leaving no stone unturned for the realisation of these interventions including the Free Senior High School Policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, and the One-District-One-Factory Project.

Addressing a town hall meeting in Sunyani, Mrs Kumi said many international and local investors had shown interest to partner government for the implementation of the programmes.

The meeting was jointly organised by the Sunyani Municipal Assembly and the Ministry of Information and attended by chiefs, queens, representatives of civil society organisations and the public.

Mrs Kumi expressed disappointment that only 3,000 people had registered under the Planting for Food and Jobs in the Municipality.

She said the programme, which aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring national food security, would benefit three million people in the Brong-Ahafo Region by 2020.

Mrs Kumi, therefore, entreated the teeming unemployed youth to develop the interest and register with the programme to improve on their livelihoods.

She indicated that ready market for food produced was not a problem as foodstuffs would be bought at the farm gates.

She commended traditional rulers for their readiness to support the implementation of the programmes and appealed to the chiefs and queens to make land available for interested youth in agriculture.

Mrs Kumi said it was incorrect for anyone to conclude that farming was a reserve for the poor hence the Government was poised to strengthening the agricultural sector, which would create more than 750,000 jobs under the programme.

The Municipal Assembly is requesting for proposals to support young entrepreneurs who lack capital to establish or expand their economic activities.

Mrs Kumi noted the country had, since 1988, adopted the decentralisation concept as a tool to facilitate development, hence the need to create opportunity for citizens to interact with the public officials and the Assembly to deepen the concept.

She said it was imperative that citizens were provided with information about government policies and programmes so as to monitor the outcomes of such programmes.

GNA

By Dennis Peprah, GNA