By Popular Acclamation: Julius Debrah Best Minister So Far

While it is becoming instituted phenomenon in Ghana to speak good about hardworking people and people of integrity only when something unfortunate happens and they depart the surface of earth, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Julius Debrah, has won the admiration of all segments of the Ghanaian society including senior media practitioners, civil society groups, the business community, the clergy, the academia and what have you. �This is as a result of his selflessness, dedication to duty and steadfastness,� a member of civil society organization told this paper on condition of anonymity. According to him, Mr Debrah is so far the best performing minister in the Mahama administration given his initiative on sanitation and made-in-Ghana furniture policy. �He needs to be supported by all especially his colleagues in government to achieve these two laudable initiatives which would undoubtedly make Ghana a better place to live in. �You don�t need a rocket scientist to tell you that this minister is an extraordinary one and also a strategic thinker, he needs to be supported by all Ghanaians especially his peers, ministers, and other government officials to succeed,� he said. At a one day National Sanitation Day review encounter with senior journalists at East Legon over the Weekend, experienced media men and women in both electronic and print present also unanimously and overwhelmingly endorsed the Local Government Minister as the best performing Minister in the Mahama-led government so far. While urging Mr Debrah�s colleague ministers and public office holders to emulate his leadership style, the astute journalists, who took turns to address the gathering, cited his attitude and commitment to duty, his respect and regular engagement with the media and his determination-to-learn from all as outstanding. Senior journalists and presenters like Editor of the Daily Guide, Fortune Alimi; Morning Show Host of Joy FM�s Supper Morning Show, Kojo Yankson; Managing Editor of The aL-hAJJ, Alhaji Bature Iddrisu and Eric Ahianyo of Metro Tv were some of the persons who took turns to praise the Local Government Minister. Mr Debrah, who was the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, was also hailed for his decision to partner the media in prosecuting his agenda, particularly the newly instituted National Sanitation Day which is to be held first Saturday of every month. The meeting was to evaluate the impact of the first NSD which was held nationwide on Saturday, November 1 this year and to find ways of improving subsequent ones. After taking the senior journalists through the Ministry�s assessment of the highly patronized and lauded event, Mr Debrah implored the media to assist his outfit and by extension government to rid the country of filth that has led to the outbreak of diseases such as cholera. The Minister has within a month met senior journalists and media practitioners to brainstorm on how to promote the Ministry�s policy and to get the populace to buy into it, particularly on Sanitation. Mr Debrah�s decision to personally send text messages and constant reminders to journalists to attend such meetings, the Managing Editor of The aL-hAJJ observed is a feather in his cap that must be emulated by his colleague Ministers. According to Alhaji Bature, constant engagement with the media, like the Local Government Minister is doing, will accord the various ministries the opportunity to respond to some nagging issues and clear all uncertainties in the minds of media practitioners who must at all times be seen as partners in the development of the country. Without mincing words, Editor of Daily Guide, Fortune Alimi, stated in high pitch tone that without any doubt, the Local Government Minister, Mr. Julius Debrah is the best performing Minister of the year, obviously for his proactive and dedication to work. Mr Alimi�s statement was collaborated by Joy Fm�s Morning Show Host, Kojo, Yankson, who, aside commending the Minister for instituting the NSD, noted that he has personal interest in the issues of sanitation in the country. Kojo Yankson advised the ministry to work towards declaring a day that would end the observation of the National Sanitation Day, to serve as a motivation to Ghanaians who participate in the national event.