"Partisan politics is destroying the concept of decentralization"-Ofosu-Ampofo

Begoro (ER), May 09, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, has observed that, partisan politics is destroying the concept of decentralization and said suggestions by some people to have District Chief Executives elected would hasten its death.

He said presently, partisan politics had polarized the assemblies to the extent that communal labour and waste management were being undermined. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was addressing the closing ceremony of a three-day capacity building workshop on Good Governance at Begoro in the Fanteakwa District, at the weekend.

The workshop, which was organized by the Philip Foundation Programme, a non-governmental organization (ngo), with support from the German Development Service, was aimed at building the capacity of the local people, to effectively participate and make meaningful inputs into local governance. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said it was important for people to look at issues "Through Ghana's lenses and not a political lens" to help promote development at the grassroots. He said government might provide and promote the enabling environment for good governance, "however if the citizenry do not embrace active participation in local governance, activities of the government may come to naught".

The Regional Minister therefore urged the participants, including assembly members, chiefs and opinion leaders to critically and objectively deliberate on issues of national and local relevance. "Ensure accountability from the district assemblies, by asking questions on revenue and expenditure, demanding status of project being undertaking at the assemblies and being actively involved in the preparation of the assembly's budget".

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said, in as much as there was the need to promote infrastructural development in the districts, human capital investment was equally critical and must be vigorously pursued. He observed that if the works of the people were progressing smoothly, they would be economically empowered to take charge of their lives and also support development in their communities. "If we are able to involve the local people in governance, we will be able to reduce a lot of tension, suspicion, and misunderstanding and avoid acrimonious tendencies that have existed over the years between some assembly members and their communities in the district." Mr Boateng Mensah, Executive Director, Philip Foundation Programme, said the objective of the workshop was to empower community members and assembly members to have healthy engagements on developmental issues in the communities so that their representatives at the assembly could also present their needs.

He said in that way, it would be expected that development programmes in the district would represent the felt needs of the people at the community level. Mr Mensah called on all to rally behind the government in power, saying "our actions or inactions may endanger our future". The three-day workshop was under the theme "Making Governance Relevant to Local needs". 09 May 10