TANO SOUTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY HOLDS LAST SESSIONAL MEETING

Local revenue generation for the year 2009 for the Tano South District Assembly has been described as very encouraging. An amount of GH¢126,994.18 representing 87.53% out of a total of GH¢145,050.00 budgeted for the year was realized as at November, 2009.

This revelation was made known in a speech delivered by the Tano South District Chief Executive Hon Bukari Zakari Anaba during the Assembly’s Last Sessional Meeting held at Bechem.

The District Chief Executive enumerated a number of ongoing developmental projects being undertaken by the assembly which included construction of two (2) 3 Unit bedrooms staff quarters at Bechem, a 1No 12 –seater Aqua Privy at New Brosankro, evacuation of refuse dump from Derma Zongo, construction of 1No 6 Unit classroom block, office, store and urinal at Bechem Nkwanta and cladding of 1No. 4 Unit Pavilion and construction of 1No 2 unit classroom block attached to the Pavilion at Bechem SDA school. Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba noted that the assembly was likely to get funds to construct a mini sports stadium complex and therefore pleaded with the committee assigned with this responsibility to work hand in hand with the Bechem Traditional Council in the acquisition of land for the construction of the sports complex.

On the issue of unemployment, the District Chief Executive revealed that the government would next year introduce youth in Agro Forestry and ICT under the National Youth Employment Programme. He further disclosed that the two year contract given to NYEP beneficiaries expired in November 2009 and that beneficiaries have been asked to reapply for consideration. He therefore appealed to the Nananom to release land for the quick take off of the Agro Forestry Project in the district. Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba also disclosed that a Four Year Gender Responsive Skill and Community Development Project sponsored by African Development Fund would be introduced next year and the Tano South District is proud to be among the 59 districts to benefit from the fund. The project he said would enable young ladies and women in the district who are willing to learn male dominated jobs like carpentry, masonry, welding, auto mechanic and spraying to benefit from the sponsorship package. The DCE further revealed that 30 graduate apprentices would also be benefiting from a package from the Business Advisory Centre ranging from hairdressing equipment, carpentry, masonry tools and welding kits later this year.

On sponsorship the DCE Hon. Bukari Zakari Anaba stated that the assembly has awarded seventy students with scholarship from the District Assembly’s Common Fund, out of which 25 were old beneficiaries who he said were interviewed and selected by the social services sub – committee. These beneficiaries the DCE noted comprised of students in Senior High Schools, Nursing Training Institutions, Colleges of Education and the universities.

On water and sanitation the DCE revealed that the assembly has awarded a contract for the renovation of seven public toilets in the district and that the contracts for the management of public toilet ended on the 28th November 2009 and therefore entreated the old caretakers to a reapply for consideration and therefore entreated the old caretakers to reapply for consideration. The District Chief Executive further revealed that plans are underway to help individual households to construct toilets in their various homes by hearing 50% of the cost involved in the construction of such facilities.

Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba hinted that the assembly’s bid to make citizens and the people in the Tano South District benefit from today’s global information age, the Bechem Community Information Centre is running courses in ICT and computer Literacy and also institutions such as colleges, hospitals and departments can now apply for internet connectivity from the Community Information Centre.

A heated argument arose when the Bechem Water Board hinted the house that it plans to raise the fee for a 24 bucket full of water from 2GHp to 5GHp and wanted approval from the house. This upward adjustment of the water fee did not go well with most of the assembly members who compared the cost of other districts in the region and rejected the move outright. The District Chief Executive advised that the move should be carried to the consumers to also know their response to the increment and suggested intensive public education and fora on the issue.

The Budget Analyst for Tano South District Mr. Daniel Owusu presented the budget for the year 2010 to the house which was subjected to serious scrutiny by members. He revealed that the revenue expenditure for the year was mainly on salary, travelling and transport, general expenditure maintenance, repairs and renewals administration and miscellaneous expenses.

Some assembly members enumerated problems in their various communities including water and sanitation, nonpayment of levies, unemployment among others whiles others on the other hand suggested solutions to some of these problems.

TANO SOUTH DISTRICT CELEBRATES FARMERS DAY

As part of the 25^th Farmers Day Celebration, farmers have been advised to desist from using children in duties that are hard for their age. This advice was contained in a speech delivered by the Tano South District Chief Executive, Honorable Bukari Zakari Anaba to mark the district farmers’ day, under the theme “Accelerated Agriculture Modernized for Food Security and Economic Transformation”. He stressed that it is about time children who are used as cheap labourers must be sent to school to become professionals who would in turn help modernize agriculture in the country.
Mr. Bukari Zakari Anaba stated that by critically analyzing the 2009 budget statement it could be deduced that a lot of resources have been given to agriculture sector thus the government is aimed at generating growth in the economy and reduce poverty in Ghana through agricultural production and productivity. He outlined technology of sustainable natural resource management, improve access to agricultural financial services and enhance human resource and institutional capacity as some of the priorities been put in place by the government to help modernize agriculture. The DCE promised the farmers better roads and with the help of the Government of Ghana establish a tomatoes factory to can tomatoes for future use in agricultural producing areas. He congratulated the farmers especially award winners and urged the people to patronize made in Ghana products to accelerated socio – economic development of the district.

Also in a speech, the Tano South District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Asiedu, commended farmers for providing food for the district for over 25 years. He disclosed that due to the increasing population and civilization, the nation’s economy greatly depends on agriculture, because agriculture provides employment to at least sixty percent of the nation’s population and also earns around 35% foreign exchange for the nation. Mr. Asiedu revealed that it by the consideration of these factors that the chosen theme for this year’s farmer’s day’s celebration is deemed it. The Director hinted that for Agriculture to meet its target, modernization such as reduced fertilizers to farmers, use of viable planting materials, adoption of non – deterring land tenure system among others were to be encouraged to improve availability of food with significant reserves for storage and export.

On success of the Tano South District Agricultural Extension Directorate, Mr. Robert Asiedu disclosed that farmers have been educated on how to use herbicide to control weeds. He said farmers under Inland Valley Rice Development Bank Project are been assisted by the Directorate to access credit from the Agricultural Development Bank. The Director therefore used the occasion to entreat farmers who did not receive awards to work harder in order to be awarded next year.

The Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Council, Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, who chaired the occasion in his remarks, congratulated the government of Ghana for annually organizing such programme to award farmers and fishermen in the country. Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II therefore expressed worry about how farmers find it difficult to get coupons to access government subsidized fertilizers and therefore charged sector heads in the Agriculture Ministry in the District to ensure that farmers who qualify get their share without any hustle.

The Tano South District overall best farmer went to Mr. Kwaku Martin from Dwomo. For his price he took home a table top fridge, four cutlasses, knapsack spraying machine, wax print and a pair of Wellington boot. Nineteen (19) other farmers received prices in various categories. Consolation prizes were also given to deserving farmers in the district. The celebration coincided with the presentation of bicycle to some officers in the district to enhance their programme in reducing child labour in the district.