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15.05.2008 General News

Strengthen Capacity Of District Assemblies - Ato Essuman

15.05.2008 LISTEN
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A Member of the Council of State, Mr Ato Essuman has urged the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to help build the capacities of the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies to enable them to accelerate the decentralisation policy.

He suggested that, the Ministry could collaborate with donor agencies to organise workshops and other training programmes for the assembly members to help speed up the decentralisation policy.
 

Mr Essuman noted with concern, the slow pace at which the policy was being implemented, saying that, the Assemblies were not doing enough because most of its members were ignorant about their responsibilities.

Addressing the Assin South District Assembly at Assin Nsuaem, Mr Essuman, who is also the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports,     expressed his regret that the government appointees, who make up 30 per cent of the Assembly members was being done on whom you know basis, thus depriving the Assemblies of experienced people with the knowledge and skills to do the job.

Mr Essuman called on the Assemblies to rise up and meet the challenges of the new Educational Reform Programme.

He advised the Assemblies to set up an educational fund to support needy but brilliant students in their areas.

The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), which is a major source of revenue for the Assemblies is over burdened and cannot give any meaningful support to the numerous needy students, he noted.

Mr Essuman donated GH¢1,000.00 to the Assembly as his personal contribution towards the setting up of the Fund.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Member of Parliament for the area and Minister for Education, Science and Sports directed that the Assemblies must ensure that all on-going projects were completed before the term of President Kufuor's administration ends this year.

That will make Ghanaians to appreciate the achievements of his administration, the MP stated.
 

Ms Millicent Alice Kuranchie, District Chief Executive (DCE) said though she always enjoyed the support of the Assembly in policy formulation, she does not get the same response when it comes to its implementation.

 

We have failed to be implementers of our own decisions, the DCE said, adding that, such attitudes affect the progress of the Assembly.

Mr Anthony K. Arthur, the Presiding Member, appealed to the government to create allowances for Assembly Members to enable them to meet their transport cost and other services they render to their constituents.

He also appealed to the government to help the District to solve the problems of the lack of offices and residential accommodation.

 

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