The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has warned newly inaugurated government appointees and Assembly Members against using their positions to unduly gain favours, promising sanctions against officials who are found to have been liable. Inaugurating members of the 6th Tema Metropolitan Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said it is a serious offence for members to use their position to influence the award of contracts by Assemblies. Mr. Ofosu Ampofo entreated Assembly members to serve the interests of the people they represent at the various districts. He urged the appointees to work hard to achieve the desired objectives of programmes initiated at the various Assemblies for the benefit of the people of Ghana. “Let me remind you that the success of every Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies will largely depend on the level of cooperation between Assembly members and Chief Executives, as well as other management staff in the discharge of your functions. MMDAs are not doing enough to generate more funds internally and thus depend wholly on the common funds” he noted. He further challenged Assemblies to come up with new strategies to generate adequate revenue to complement the efforts of the central Government. The Minister further directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to put premium on sanitation and waste management activities, to rid our towns and cities of filth and health problems associated with insanitary conditions. The Tema Metropolitan Assembly inaugurated 50 Assembly Members- 45 males and 5 females- and 23 Government appointees. The Tema High Court Judge, Her Lordship, Evril Anim-Yeboah administered the swearing of Oaths by the new Assembly Members and Government Appointees. Story: Abednego Asante Asiedu/Adom News