The Volta Regional Min­ister, Mr James Gunu, has assured the people of the region that the Regional Securi­ty Council (REGSEC) is closely monitoring developments in the Republic of Togo to ensure that violent activities in that country would not affect the region.He said security at the region's borders was alert to make sure that violent events in Togo do not disturb the peace in the area, and he encouraged people to contin­ue their daily work and business without fear.The Regional Minister, who gave the assurance at the First Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) meeting in Ho, said the region had strong development potential and urged Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to work hard to meet the aspirations of the people.Mr Gunu announced that the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) had been allocated and released for the first quarter of 2025 to help MDAs carry out their planned projects and programmes.He advised the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MD­CEs) and District Coordinating Directors to follow the guidelines for using the DACF properly, to prevent misuse of the funds and support the government's develop­ment agenda.The Regional Minister, a former District Chief Executive for Akat­si-North, noted that the DACF alone was not sufficient to meet the development needs of the people.

He emphasised the need for the Assemblies to increase their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to support development in their respective areas.Mr Gunu said deliberate efforts were being made to set up farmer service centres across the region to support farmers with modern farming tools, technology, and supplies in all districts and munic­ipalities.He also assured that farm banks would be set up in farming areas to make it easier for farm­ers to access land, and that irrigation sys­tems would be provided to support farming all year round.According to the Regional Min­ister, chieftaincy and land disputes remain a major concern in the region.

He urged those involved to take such issues to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs (VRHC) or the law courts for peaceful resolution.The Chief Director of the VRCC, Mr Augustus Awity, urged staff of the Assem­blies, departments, and agencies to be disciplined in doing their duties, saying that coming to work late was a major challenge affecting the region's development.Mr Awity said people in other regions who valued time were more productive and made greater progress.

He added that it was important for workers to change their attitude towards work to help bring about the development the region needs. BY SAMUEL AGBEWODE, HO