Govt is committed to the district assemblies' concept

Foase (Ash), Feb 8, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, has given the assurance that the government would ensure district assemblies remained the pivot of decision-making.

He said the government would promote effective sensitization of the assemblies as the planning authority charged with comprehensive and integrated development.

Mr Adjei-Darko said this when he addressed separate durbars of the chiefs and people at Foase and Asiwa, the new district capitals of Atwima-Kwanwoma and Bosome-Freho respectively, as part of a working visit to the Ashanti Region. The minister said the constitution afforded district assemblies greater opportunities to exercise their functions more effectively as decentralized bodies and urged the assemblies to shun malpractices and be transparent in their activities.

He expressed the hope that the increase in the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF) from five to 7.5 per cent would help secure substantial transfer of funds to the assemblies for development and execution of vibrant programmes.

On the provision of infrastructure for the new districts, Mr Adjei-Darko said his ministry would provide some funds to put up administration blocks for each of the assemblies and some decentralized departments after their inauguration.

Mr Osei-Assibey Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, urged the chiefs and people to release land for infrastructure development and also to act as agents of change to spearhead development projects. 08 Feb 08