EC supports Assemblies

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday presented items worth GH¢220,000 (¢2.2 billion) to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural, Development and Environment) for distribution to the 28 newly created districts.

The items are 44 motorbikes, 120 safe cabinets, 120 manual typewriters and office furniture.

The support formed part of the EC's commitment to build capacity of district assemblies to discharge their duties in a transparent and accountable manner.

Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, sector Minister who received the items said the logistics procured under the EC's Support to "Local Governance Programme" would assist the district assemblies to perform their decentralization role well.

He said to achieve an effective decentralization regime, the ministry was drafting a legislative instrument to establish various district departments and train civil servants to assume new roles in a local government service.

Mr Adjei-Darko expressed appreciation to the EC for its continuous support and advised the beneficiaries to ensure proper maintenance of the logistics.

Mr Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Ambassador and Head of EC Delegation, said the EC last year accepted to support a National Decentralisation Action Plan to be implemented within a period of three years with three million euros through the ninth European Development Fund.

He said the project would strengthen the capacities of district assemblies and local communities to identify, plan, finance, implement and monitor the development priorities of their respective districts.

Mr Sebregondi expressed the hope that the logistics could help district assemblies to increase their revenue collection.