Assemblies hold workshop on Common Fund

Ho (Volta Region), 22nd July 99 -

Mr Josiah Wilson Ampiah, Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, has reminded Members of Parliament not use their share of the fund for their personal purposes since it was meant to the development of their communities.

Reacting to concerns raised by district assemblies over the lack of co-operation between MPs in the disbursement of the fund, Mr Ampiah said such monies must be treated as part of the national development plan meant to upgrade conditions in their localities.

The workshop, attended by District Chief Executives, Co-ordinating Directors and District Budget Officers in the Volta Region at Ho on Tuesday, is discussing a manual on the utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

It was organised by the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Mr Ampiah called on Parliamentarians to disburse the fund in consultation with their District Chief Executives and "must follow laid down guidelines for administration and accounting for the fund".

He called for the co-operation of the MPs and their District Assemblies for the smooth administration and execution of development programmes in the districts.

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said since the inception of the Common Fund five years ago, a total of 426.157 billion cedis has been transferred to the 110 districts.

The assemblies in addition have generated a total of 100.9 billion cedis through their own internal revenue efforts.

"This indicates government's commitment not only to implement a constitutional provision but also concretely support financial management and development functions of the new local government system".

Mr Kwasi Aboagye, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, expressed government's concern about the misapplication of the fund and flaws in the administration of contracts being financed with the fund.

He called for strict compliance with the provisions of Legislative Instrument 1606 which establishes tender boards to award contracts for the district assemblies.

Topics being treated include increasing local revenue generation, preparing estimates for the utilisation of the common fund and revenue mobilisation at the district level.

GRi?/