The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has urged residents of his region to resort to continuous dialogue in resolving their grievances, rather than hitting the streets to register their displeasure.
In his view, demonstrations, among other aggressive activities, do not resolve issues, but dialogue rather fosters peace and stability.
Giving his address at the first Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) meeting for 2022, after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Osei-Mensah referred to the past years which had been occasioned by some riots in the region, leading to clashes with some security personnel.
Security
Touching on security issues in the region, he mentioned that the joint Police/Military patrols, dubbed “Operation Calmlife”, had been operating not only in the cities, but on the highways as well, thereby, reducing highway robberies.
To this end, he expressed gratitude to heads of the security agencies in the region for keeping the region peaceful.
In the wake of the security alert issued by the Ministry of National Security on the possibility of terrorist activities, he urged all and sundry to be on high alert, vigilant and conscious of their security.
According to him, although security personnel are on a high alert, the citizenry must also share in that responsibility.
“Let us report strange occurrences and behaviors in our environments and, especially, in public places, to keep us all safe. The security agencies will continue to be on the high alert to keep us all safe,” he said.
Appreciation
Again, he expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for nominating 42 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Ashanti region.
Mr Osei-Mensah further disclosed that the President had nominated Mr. Omane Aboagye for the position of Chief Executive of Juaben Municipal Assembly, and he was yet to go through the confirmation process.
“If he is successful, then all 43 MMDAs will have their Chief Executives. On behalf of all the MMDCEs and myself, we pledge to work very hard to deliver as expected. We are very grateful. My sincerest appreciation also goes to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nananom and all stakeholders, who in diverse ways, have contributed and continue to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the region,” he added.