IBIS West Africa supports two TMA Zonal Councils

Tema, July 01, GNA -- IBIS West Africa, a non-Governmental Organisation, in its effort to support in strengthening the decentralisation process in the country has signed an agreement to make available a 130 million-cedi funds to support two Zonal Councils under the Tema Municipal Assembly.

It has therefore, presented basic office equipment, including computers and its accessories, cabinets and sanitary tools to Tema and Kpeshi Gonno Zonal Councils at a ceremony in Tema, on Thursday. In addition to the funds, the NGO's Regional Director, Ms Karen Birgitte Rassmussen, also pledged the support and assistance of its staff in facilitating all activities undertaken by the Zonal councils. She explained that their support to the Municipal Assembly and its sub-structures is to help strengthen the democratisation and decentralisation process that will enhance the greater interaction between local government and civil society.

"For IBIS, it is important that you are involved in the development process, in that you are part of decisions and directly involved in the implementation of what kind of development initiatives in your area," she added. This, she admitted, would also lead to transparency and accountability in the local government system, which all inhabitants living in the municipality would also benefit from. She expressed the hope that the presentation would help alleviate some of the problems of the Zonal Councils to enhance decentralisation process and poverty reduction activities in a positive direction.

The Co-ordinating Director of the Assembly, Mr George Scott, thanked the NGO for the gesture and assured the Zonal Councils that the Assembly would also supplement their support to make sure it is equipped enough to carry out policies of the Assembly. He advised the Zonal Councils on the need to carry out public educations on policies of the Assembly and to participate directly to promote good sanitary conditions in the Municipality.