The Gomoa District Assembly has ratified the District Medium Term Development Plan for the period 2006 – 2009 at an emergency meeting held at Apam. But not withstanding the assembly’s approval, the implementation of the document has to wait till a final approval has been given by the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). The Plan aimed at ensuring sustainable growth through utilization of available human and natural resources and empowerment of citizens of the district to be active in the decision-making processes. The document, which was prepared by the District Planning Co-ordinating Unit (DPCU) will be a guide for the district’s development course till the end of 2009. The District Chief Executive, Madam Joyce Aidoo, announced that the assembly had received ¢8.5866 billion as its share of the Common Fund for 2007 and was preparing the annual supplementary budget to be able to access the fund. The DCE also announced that approval had been given to the Assembly to construct a Jubilee Kindergarten and Primary Schools. Mr. Fred Oscar Abban, Presiding Member announced that the assembly had decided to suspend award of new projects on contract for 2007 due to its heavy indebtedness to contractors. He expressed concern about the “wait and see attitude” of the people and urged them to involve themselves in any new programme introduced by the government. Mr Joe Hackman, MP for Gomoa West called on teachers to reintroduce spelling, reading and Mathematics and Science quiz competitions in their classes as a means of raising academic standards. Mr Kwesi Simons, District Planning Officer said the Assembly had decided not to construct public toilets in the communities but to encourage landlords/ladies to construct household toilets. Mr Simons said the Assembly would not grant a permit for a building plan which did not cater for a toilet facility. Source: GNA