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THE MINISTER of Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has stated that the creation of 42 more districts in the country is to deepen democracy, promote development and bring governance closer to the people. He said it is also to make the administration of larger districts easier and the decentralization process a reality so the many towns and villages in the new districts could have access to basic amenities and other necessities of life. The minister made these remarks while interacting with chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members and people of Manso-Amenfi and Mpohor in the Wassa Amenfi West and Mpohor Wassa East districts of the Western region respectively during a day�s working visit to the area. The minister who was accompanied by Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo had come to officially inform the chiefs and people that President Mills and parliament had approved of the 42 new districts and that June 19 had tentatively been fixed for the inauguration of all the newly-created districts. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo also inspected temporary offices for the new districts and advised the chiefs and people to cooperate with the staff and heads of departments of various ministries that would be posted to the area to work. He made it clear that government was fair and transparent in creating the districts after passing through various criteria saying �if President John Evans Atta Mills has given his assent by giving you a new district, then be mindful that honors come with responsibilities.� He appealed to the chiefs and land owners to offer their land for the construction of administrative offices and other facilities like a district hospital, police station, fire station and others and to give those who would be posted to the area the needed assistance to enhance their work. �The new districts are yours so you should do everything to help grow them. The president is planting the seed but it is up to you, the chiefs and people of this new district to nurture it to maturity,� he advised. The Chief of Manso-Amenfi, Nana Hyia Agyeman III was full of praise for government for granting their long-awaited request and said they would hold the district like �an egg.� Nana Kwaw Entsie, Chief of Mpohor Traditional Area, told the sector minister he and his elders had already released 10 acres of land for the construction of offices for the district assembly and would provide more land as and when it becomes necessary.