Ghanaian decline in the spirit of voluntarism

Accra, April 30, GNA - Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, on Friday said the rampant practice of demanding instant compensation for little services rendered was killing the spirit of voluntarism.

He said such attitude was killing the spirit of communal labour, which was once a source of local development.

Mr. Chireh was speaking on "Decentralization and its Impact on local Democracy and Development", at the ongoing policy fair in Accra. The Minister said that the problem was so alarming that even people found it difficult to tidy up their environment. He said "Ghanaians must be less commercial in their duties," and noted that this negative trend could only be eradicated when leaders were transparent and accountable in their executing their duties. Mr. Chireh called on leaders at all level to make sacrifices for the others to emulate them and called on Ghanaians to obey laws made at the local levels.

On estate development at the local level, the Minister said people must not be in haste to develop land without ascertaining whether the land belonged to some one else, the government or had multiple owners. Mr. Chireh advised people to refrain from hurriedly putting up buildings with the impression that when a building is up to the lent level it could not be demolished, saying the law would not shield them. He said the decentralization policy has helped to reduce bureaucracy associated with planning and coordination at the central government level. Mr. Chireh said "It improves responsiveness to local demands for the effectiveness and efficiency and public service delivery". The closeness of the government and the governed he said ensured public accountability.

Mr Chireh said the decentralization policy required the commitment of the country's top leadership, adding that it was not a one-shot affair but a process of developing and managing change on long term basis. "The ultimate objective of decentralization is to transform people's lives and eradicate poverty by devolving political administrative and financial powers to the people" he said. Mr. Chireh said this would effectively control the destiny of local people and make the whole process sustainable. 30 April 10