Dep. Minister asks assemblies not to rely on Common Fund

Tarkwa (W/R), March 25, GNA - Mr Kofi Poku-Adusei, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development on Friday asked Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (DCEs) not to rely on the Assemblies Common Fund but initiate measures to increase internally generated funds for development.

He pointed out that the Chief Executives were required to provide the needed leadership that would inspire the assemblies to develop appropriate mechanism for increased internally generated revenue to make the assemblies flexible in the choice of development projects. "Revenue generation is the key component of activities of the assemblies, but unfortunately most of them are not performing well in internal revenue mobilisation," he added.

Mr Poku-Adusei made the call when addressing the on-going first quarterly meeting of Chief Executives at Tarkwa.

The Deputy Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Bekwai said the enormity of sanitation problems facing the cities; urban towns and rural areas should be the concern of all and sundry.

"It is expected that the communal spirit that characterized activities of communities in the past would be rekindled to help maintain clean environment," He said.

Mr Poku-Adusei said attitudinal change on indiscriminate disposal of refuse and adoption of hygienic environmental conditions should dominate the campaign on sanitation, while the assemblies embarked on vigorous enforcement of bye-laws on sanitation.

He reminded the Chief Executives of the impending elections to the assemblies in August this year, and urged them to make adequate preparation to ensure its success.

Mr Poku-Adusei said "There is the need to encourage and provide the necessary support to women to ensure they are not marginalized in policy and decision making processes in the country."

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said Ghana opted for political decentralization that comprised civil liberties, democratic pluralism and political rights.

Others, he said were; fiscal decentralization for fiscal resources, autonomy, decision making and administrative decentralization for structure systems and participation.

He noted that an efficient and effective implementation of such policies would accelerate Ghana's socio-economic development. Mr Aidoo who is also MP for Amenfi West said; "Let us not forget the role of traditional rulers in our developmental agenda. They are agents of security, peace and stability."