The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Legislator for Avenor-Ave constituency in the Volta Region, Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, has advised Ghanaians never to lose faith in the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills. He conceded that the government's move to fix the numerous social and economic problems facing the nation "appears rather slow," but said President Mills' administration "is more than equal to the task of effectively turning Ghana's economic fortunes around." Speaking at the opening of the Ordinary Session of the Akatsi District Assembly, at Akatsi recently, the first Deputy Speaker said things would have been different if the NPP administration had left the economy in good shape. According to him, the NDC government inherited "a very difficult and challenged economy of over 14% of GDP," with rising inflation and a depreciating cedi, and the NDC government had to move in "swiftly" to raise some facilities from the World Bank and the IMF, which had been approved by parliament to stabilize the macro economic environment. The Avenor-Ave Legislator said: "I am raising these matters not as an alibi or an excuse, but to inform you, as the representative of our people in the District, and to let you know why things appear to be slow. I therefore, urge you to keep faith with the President and his government because I believe that given the modesty of his leadership, coupled with his honesty and humility, he will deliver, even in the face of these challenges." Hon Adjaho announced that a number of development projects are to take off within the next few days to better the standard of living of the people. He said the Ministry of Energy has for instance placed Akatsi under phase two of a 170 Million dollar China Water Electrification Program to be executed by the China Water and Electricity Corporation. The NDC MP told Assembly members that he was in consultation with the Ministry of Health and its Deputy to give Akatsi a District Hospital that is befitting of the District Capital, adding "as at now we all know that the District Hospital can only be identified by the signboard, but not facilities." The First Deputy Speaker also announced the setting up of an Independent Committee to scrutinize applications of needy but brilliant students who apply to his office for assistance. "This would not only be transparent, but also ensure that only the brilliant and actually needy students receive support," he said, adding: "Special consideration would also be given to girl-child education." Meanwhile, massive financial irregularities have been discovered by authorities in the Akatsi District. The discovery comes weeks after President John Mills ordered a thorough audit into the accounts of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the country. The Presidential directive followed reports of crippling debts saddling the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. Speaking at the same function, the Akatsi District Chief Executive, Mr. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, said his predecessors depleted the District kitty during their tenure. He said as a result of the actions of his predecessors, the Akatsi District is today indebted to the tune of over 4 billon old Ghana Cedis. Source: The Chronicle/Ghana