Members of the Awutu Bontrase Area Council and Unit Committees have appealed to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment to pay ex-gratia award to them as done for assembly members. According to them, payment of ex-gratia award to Area Councils and Unit Committee members throughout the country would encourage technocrats to become members to facilitate the development of the rural areas. Mr Sily Banafo, spokesman for the members made the appeal at the inauguration of the Awutu Bontrase Area Council at Awutu Bontrase. He said the development of the communities and revenue generation by the assemblies was done largely by the Area Council and Unit Committee members and must be paid ex-gratia award at the end of their four years to encourage them to give of their best. Mr Banafo said the Area Council and Unit Committee members worked with the assembly members and it would be painful and discouraging that at the end of the year, assembly members received some ex-gratia awards while their role was not recognised and duly compensated. Meanwhile three Area councils namely, Awutu Obrachire, Awutu Bontrase and Jeikrodua in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District have been inaugurated. Source: GNA