The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Julius Debrah and his technocrats from the ministry have kick-started a one week official tour of the Northern Region.
[contextly_sidebar id=”VyoHqICO3Ack4b9UDlBUN3TUEuGhhVtZ”]The Minister and his two Deputies, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye and Mr. Agyekum will lead separate teams to 13 districts to interact with the chiefs and people.
They will by extension inspect government’s completed and ongoing projects.
This is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s promise as captured in his State of the Nation’s Address to send local governance to the doorsteps of the rural folks.
Topmost on the team’s agenda is to participate in the next phase of the National Sanitation Day exercise scheduled for Saturday 7, February 2015.
In an exclusive interview with Citi News on his arrival in Tamale, Julius Debrah said government was solid on the ground with its development agenda.
He said the regional tour will create an opportunity for the chiefs and people to directly interact with government.
This, according to him will enable government to conduct social auditing on its achievements in the region as means of meeting the development needs of the people.
Julius Debrah maintained that the National Sanitation Day exercise was initiated to change people’s attitude towards sanitation in their communities.
He commended the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly for initiating the Tamale Housing project meant to augment government’s affordable housing project.
He disclosed government’s intention to replicate it across the country to reduce the nation’s housing deficit.
Julius Debrah urged the media to highlight government’s positive achievements.
Later at a media gathering, Julius Debrah, his two Deputies and the Northern Regional Minister addressed some concerns raised by some Journalists in the area.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna announced that government dispatched 10,000 dustbins for onward distribution to the various districts ahead of the National Sanitation Day exercise.
He admonished the chiefs and people of the region to place premium on the exercise.
It will be recalled that the National Sanitation Day was introduced by government to encourage people to clean their environment.
This came in the wake of a severe cholera outbreak in major cities especially in the Greater Accra Region which caused several deaths.
The first Saturday of every month is earmarked for the nationwide exercise which started with less enthusiasm.
Ashanti Region hosted the third phase and the Northern Region is to host the next exercise on February 7.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana