Minister charges local government officials to strive for internally

Accra, 26 March, GNA - The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has noted that the District Assemblies' Common Fund cannot address all the developmental needs of the country, hence the need for innovation to improve on internal revenue.

Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah who toured Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and Ledzorkuku-Krowor Municipality on Friday as part of a day's familiarisation tour, entreated the assemblies to pool resources to facilitate development in their localities as indicated in the Local Government Act 462 and the Legislative Instrument establishing the assemblies. He also stressed on the need for the assemblies to promote peace and security, saying: "It is the surest way to create the needed atmosphere to promote wealth creation."

"We need to deliver nothing but development to the people," he stressed. Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the assembly expects GHc 5,648,807.00 revenue this year, which is 130 per cent higher than the expected District Assemblies' Common Fund of GHc 2,485,618.00.

"The total revenue generated as at 31 December 2009 in respect to Internally Generated Fund amounted to GHc 4,391,254.38. Mr Ofosuware said the assembly was preparing a four-year Medium Term Development plan (2010-2013).

He inaugurated three Sub-Metropolitan District Councils of the TMA, namely: Tema East, Tema West and Kpone Katamanso. He said the sub-metropolitan councils were expected to generate revenue to implement developmental project and programmes. Mr ofosuware said the assembly had initiated programmes to remove unauthorised structures and maintain the green belts to beautify the city. He said to beef up law enforcement in the metropolis, 45 potential metro guards are undergoing training at the National Police Training School as part of the recruitment process to increase the number of the personnel. Mr Dan Amartey Mensah Ledzorkuku-Krowor Municipal Chief Executive, said the assembly was renting office apartment, hence the need for government to release money to secure them permanent accommodation. 26 March 10