Deputy Minister enskinned Simili-Naa
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) in charge of Rural Economic Development, Mr Augustine Collins Ntim, has been enskinned as the "Simili Naa" (Chief of Friendship) of the Yilizoli Traditional Area in the Zabzugu District in the Northern Region.
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The Simili-Naa was bestowed on Mr Ntim when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief, Yilizoli-Na, at his palace as part of his working tour of the Zabzugu District.
The visit by the deputy minister to the Zabzugu District was part of a comprehensive programme drawn by the MLGRD for the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) where the heads of departments will be assessed by their performance by giving account of what each department had done or has been doing in the interest of the district.
That platform will also provide the opportunity for the heads to assess themselves and in the process, provide a coordinated mechanism that will help improve the assemblies development efforts.
Good working ties
The chief noted that he had heard of Mr Ntim’s good working relationship with the assembly members, his concern for the rural poor, as well as his respect for traditional rulers.
In his view, such honour would motivate him to carry out a number of interventions President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was rolling out to help move the country forward.
He again lauded the government for the various policies and programmes rolled out, including "planting for food and jobs” and "planting for food and investment", which he believed could help reduce poverty, as well as the free SHS policy which had also reduced dropout rate in the district which was more pronounced in the past.
Warm reception
Mr Ntim thanked the chief for his warm reception and the honour bestowed on him.
He assured the chief that President Akufo-Addo and his administration was working hard to fulfill the promises they made to the electorate, adding that: "The President is not relenting on his efforts."
Mr Ntim also praised the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Abubakari Iddrisu for the strong working relationship between the stakeholders and the traditional authorities.
Such a collaboration, he said would foster peace, unity and effective development.
The DCE, for his part, thanked the MLGRD for introducing peer review measures to enhance rapid growth.
