Minister warns against use of official vehicles for funerals

Koforidua, July 15, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has said Municipal and District Chief executives (MDCEs) should ensure that vehicles and other logistics meant for development are not used for funerals and other social programmes. Addressing the opening of a workshop on the Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme (LSDGP) and Monitoring Strategy for Water and Sanitation facilities in Koforidua, he said assemblies should show more commitment to development projects that have direct impact on the people.

He said it was worrying that some assemblies looked on unconcerned when community facilities break down and in some cases new facilities are opted for when the old one could have been rehabilitated. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said audited reports from the districts in the region showed that monies had been spent indiscriminately and urged the MDCEs to be mindful of their expenditure and show more commitment to improve the lot of their communities.

Mr Philip Amanor, the Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation (CWSA), appealed to the districts to, as part of sanitation, promote the provision of household latrines. The LSDGP is aimed at enhancing capacities of assemblies in the implementation of government projects and it is being funded by a grant from the Government of Denmark through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The total grant component of the programme is estimated at about GHC 120 million to benefit five regions including the Northern, Volta, Greater Accra and Central over a five- year period in 36 districts. In the Eastern Region Kwahu North, Kwahu South, East, Fanteakwa, Atiwa, Akuapem North and South and Yilo Krobo district would benefit to help improve upon rural water and sanitation, feeder roads and rural housing. The CWSA later donated three motorbikes, computers and their accessories to each of the four newly created districts to facilitate monitoring of the projects.