Institute of local government studies to take off soon

Bolgatanga (Upper East), 4th May ?99,

The Institute of Local Government Studies will be officially commissioned on May 24, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has said.

He named Professor Samuel Wood, former director of the University of Ghana's School of Administration, as the first director of the Institute expected to have campuses in Accra and Tamale.

Mr Ahwoi was speaking at the closing session of the 14th conference of Regional Ministers in Bolgatanga.

The institute will be developed as an outreach and resource centre where induction courses will be organised for co-ordinating directors, presiding members and other staff of the district assemblies.

Mr Ahwoi said district assemblies would be required to send essential staff to the institute for various training programmes previously handled by his ministry.

The World Bank as part of government's efforts to concretise the decentralisation programme has provided funds for the establishment of the institute.