Local authorities tasked to ensure decentralization and democracy

Accra, Dec. 20, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday urged local government authorities to develop appropriate and adequate capacity in the enforcement of bye-laws, environmental management, solid and liquid waste, land use and revenue mobilization to enable the country to achieve real decentralization.

He said the increase in the District Assemblies Common Fund from 5 to 7 percent should provide assemblies and other local government authorities with additional resources for tackling the problems. President Kufuor, who was launching the Local Government Service in Accra spelt out the tasks when he launched the Local Government Service, a public service organization established to address the human resource needs of the Local Government Reform of Ghana. "This major step is to transform the machinery of government in line with the 1992 constitution, which states that: "Ghana shall have a system of Local Government and Administration which shall, as far as practicable, be decentralized."

President Kufuor said the government had made significant investments towards good governance, to promote community participation in decision-making and improve services within the community. He pointed out that efficiency in public administration had always been the cherished goal of government and said government would be pleased if the citizenry were able to access services at little or no trouble at all.

"An effective Local Government Service is critical to the realization of this goal. It must coordinate its activities that nobody has to travel outside the community for a service that, with imagination, can be provided at everybody's doorstep," President Kufuor said.

The President noted that government expected very much from the Local Government Service and urged the Ministry of Local Government to ensure that District Assemblies adhered to the newly introduced financial procedures and practices for addressing real and perceived financial weaknesses.

He said important reforms were already in progress to enhance decentralization, which established comprehensive decentralization policy framework, fiscal decentralization design, reform of the local government law and the composite budget. President Kufuor announced that about 3000 staff within the civil service were being transferred for the benefit of the Local Government Service and was quick to point out that it would take time for the transferred staff to settle in their new environment. "There will probably be demands for accommodation, places in school for children and other domestic needs of the staff on transfer. This is a challenge which the District Assemblies must endeavour to solve in partnership with other stakeholders in the community." Unveiling the logo of the Local Government Service which is: " Decentralization, Democracy and Development," President Kufuor said the service should be consistent with the motto and stressed that services should be made available where they were needed and ensure that there was the widest possible involvement in decision-making while genuine development for the well being of the people the remained the goal. Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment explained that with the launch of the Local Government Service, the sector Ministry would concentrate on policy matters as well as monitoring and evaluating of the Local Government System.

"In this connection, the Local Government Service would then be involved in the Human Resource development matters, performance and audit management matters and above all to give technical assistance and supervision to enhance effective performance of the functions of District Assemblies and Regional Coordinating Councils." Nana Boachie-Danquah, Chairman of the Local Government Service Council, explained that the service had adopted decentralization, democracy and development as a motto because the three put together helped in the achievement of development in any country. He said membership of the service comprised the Regional Coordinating Council, District Assemblies and any other person who may be employed to serve in the service. "The Local Government Service must be seen as a first step in a long challenging journey, he said, and called on the media to focus on the activities of the local government.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio II, Omanhene of Sefwi-Bekwai and President of the National House of Chiefs, who chaired the function lauded the establishment of the service and said it would create an enabling environment for decentralization and enhancement of local government. "It will make room for participation of the citizenry in governance," he said, and pointed out the role of traditional leaders in such a service as one that was crucial. 20 Dec. 07