Delegation from African Development Bank calls on Local Government Minister

Accra, May 11, GNA - A delegation from African Development Bank on Wednesday called on Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, to assess and discuss efforts aimed at improving the bank's support to activities in the country. Ms Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, Resident Representative, Ghana Country Office, who led the delegation, said the visit was also to discuss projects being undertaken towards urban poverty reduction and the Accra Sewerage Improvement project. She said although there had been improvements in the two projects over the years, they were facing challenges with their implementation. Ms Akin-Olugbade said the urban poverty reduction project was set up to help eliminate poverty completely in urban centres in the country, and was one of the most utilised projects in the country. She said research indicated that there was an increase in poverty, especially in urban areas, and this called for concerted efforts to eliminate it, adding that the bank would endeavour to improve the sewerage system in Accra. Mr Ofosu Ampofo lauded the bank's contribution to the country's socio economic development. However, he expressed dissatisfaction about the slow rate of disbursement of funds for the smooth operation of the Accra Sewerage Improvement Project, saying it was important that resources were released on time to deliver on the programme. Mr Ofosu Ampofo appealed to the management to allocate resources to support the Donkorkrom Agricultural Senior High School, to enable the students to benefit practically from agricultural education to ensure the sustainability of projects in the district. In another development, the Minister urged women Municipal and District Chief Executives in the country to be vigilant in administering their duties. Mr Ofosu Ampofo made the call when Women Municipal and District Chief Executives in the country called on him in Accra on Wednesday. He said it was important for them to be firm, interested and committed to issues concerning women, health and poverty reduction, since these were major problems facing the country. Mr Ofosu Ampofo asked the women chief executives to serve as role models for women to enable them to play active roles in politics. He congratulated them on their appointment and urged them to design capacity building and income generation programmes to help improve the living conditions of the people. Mrs Nabyl Kakra Vanlare, leader of the delegation and Municipal Chief Executive for Adentan, said the visit was to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and discuss ways of tackling challenges facing women. She expressed hope that their deliberations would be fruitful for the benefit of society. 11 May 11