Metropolitan and District Chief Executives for the Greater Accra Region were on Friday sworn into office with an admonition to hit the ground running. Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Armah Ashitey who administered the swearing-in oath, tasked the new Metropolitan, Municipal and District heads to start work immediately in the face of heigtening expectations of the government by the people. All ten MMDCEs appointed by President Mills for the Greater Accra Region swore the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Office and the Oath of Secrecy on Friday at the offices of the Regional Coordinating Council in Accra. They included Afred Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Assembly; Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Assemly; Nubyl Kakra Van-Lare, Adentan Municipal Assembly; and Daniel Amartey Mensah for the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly. The rest are Ebenezer Nii Armah Tackie, Ga West; John Kwao Sackey, Ga East; and Sherrif Nii Otoo Dodoo, Ga South Municipal Assemblies. The others are Numo Adinortey Addison, Ashaiman Municipal Assembly; Emmanuel Odoi Lartey, Dagme West District Assembly; and Rex Daniel Wusah, Dangme East District Assembly. The Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey charged the new officials to be judicious in the use of resources alloted them to develop their communities. He said the Mills-led government currently faces a tough challenge brought on by the global financial crisis and that strategic planning is required on the parts of metropolitan, municipal and district heads in executing their duties. Nii Ashitey stressed that such a step is required to translate Government's development plans of action into reality. He announced that government will reward MMDCEs who put up outstanding performances. In the face of reports of spiralling crime in the capital city, the regional minister said efforts must be directed towards ensuring the safety and security of all. All 10 MMDCEs were handed their Instrument of Office, signed by the President John Evans Atta Mills. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com