Mr Wilber­force Petty Brentum, the West­ern North Regional min­ister, has assumed office with a call on stakeholders, including chiefs, Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) staff and the general public for comprehensive collaboration to ensure accelerated development in the area.

Mr Brentum lauded the assur­ance from the RCC to support his administration, and asked the workers to be professional in the discharge of their duties towards the implementation of the Presi­dent's agenda for the region. "I am happy for the reception and the assurance that the co­ordinating director has given to help me achieve my vision for the region." Mr Brentum, who made the call in his maiden address to staff and management of the RCC at Sefwi Wiawso, the regional capital, cau­tioned against sabotaging govern­ment policies.

Mr Brentum said he would form a team to investigate all mining activities in the region, in order to roll out pragmatic steps to fight illegal mining and logging.

He promised to work with the appropriate state institutions to promote development in the region.