Minister blames poor economy on previous govt

Osino (E/R), April 4, GNA - Mr Yaw Barimah, Eastern Regional Minister, has blamed the government's inability to meet all the desires of the people on the poor economy it inherited.

He said the government had to use the first four years to prepare the stage for an economic take-off.

Mr Barimah was speaking at the beginning of this year's People's Assembly in the Eastern Region at Osino in the Fanteakwa District on Monday.

He stated that it was the desire of government to leave a legacy of good education hence the innovations in the system and said it had embarked on a youth employment programme under which 500 young people in each district would be gainfully employed.

Mr Ernest Sasraku, a youth from Asuboi, complained that Fulani herdsmen had been harassing farmers in the area and in some cases with firearms while their cattle destroyed crops.

Mr Ebenezer Ofoe Caesar, District Chief Executive (DCE), denied that permits had been given to Fulani herdsmen and said Ghanaian cattle owners in the area were planning to form an association to ensure that their members lived peacefully with crop farmers and to help identify unruly ones among them for sanctions.

He said the District Assembly had constructed over 50 new school buildings since the government of President Kufuor took office.

Mr Caesar said 1,350 hectares had been allocated for re-forestation in the District under the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) creating jobs for 1,000 young people in the area.

The Assembly is holding discussions with a foreign company for the establishment of a diary farm in the area to create employment, the DCE said.

Nana Amoafu, Mawerehene of Osino called for the upgrading of the Clinic in the town to a hospital to serve the Mumuadu area of the District.