Take responsibility for gov't properties

The Head of the Local Government Service, Rex Owusu-Ansah, has expressed concern about the irresponsible handling of government properties by succeeding Chief Executives for Wenchi Municipality in Brong Ahafo. He condemned the apparent inaction by the Chief Executives that had allowed almost completed buildings for some departments to remain abandoned for close to 15 years and exposed to the mercy of reptiles, rodents and drug addicts, whereas these departments occupy properties that could be conveniently allocated to others.Speaking during a working tour of the Municipal Assembly offices, Mr. Owusu-Ansah expressed regret that “nobody takes responsibility for government property” and enjoined the Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Bintu Farizana and staff to help reverse the situation.The Local Government Service boss stressed that the elevation of the district to a municipal status demanded unalloyed responsibility to duty to merit the trust and confidence reposed in the performance of the Assembly. Mr Owusu-Ansah said as the acting President of Wenchi Traditional Council his visit is also to express the Council's appreciation for the elevation. “It is a challenge to us to ensure that the Assembly is adequately staffed and performs better”. Mr Owusu-Ansah, who also chairs the Board of Directors of Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the Board has authorized the establishment of a branch office of the Agency in Wenchi ahead of this year's presidential and parliamentary elections. He called on the Municipal Chief Executive to accede to GNA's request for the establishment of an office in Wenchi, which he described as the 'Mecca' of the ruling New Patriotic Party politics. Mr. Owusu-Ansah deplored the dependence of some district and municipal assemblies on the Common Fund, saying that could not help them to achieve set goals and called for the maximum generation of revenue internally to adequately supplement the Fund. He urged the staffs of the municipal administration to support efforts towards the rapid development of the area and eschew tendencies and practices that tend to stall such efforts.