Eastern Regional Secretariat of CBRDP assists assemblies

Koforidua, Oct. 12, GNA - The Eastern Regional Secretariat of Community Based Rural Development Project (CBRDP), on Friday presented 160 bicycles and motorbikes valued at 13,700 Ghana cedis for distribution to selected area councils in the Region. The items were to boost activities of unit and area councils to strengthen decentralization in the country.

Each area council was in addition, given 15,000 Ghana cedis to implement its own community need project in line with the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and National Planning Agenda.

Mrs Cedonia Dere, Eastern Regional Development Specialist of CBRDP, who presented the items in Koforidua said it was to empower the lower structures in the decentralization process to function effectively and efficiently.

She said the project, being funded by World Bank and Agence Francaise, was to serve as incentives to facilitate activities of the councils.

Mrs Dere said to ensure effective utilisation of the funds, employees of area councils as part of their capacity building process had been trained in public procurement, accountability and monitoring of projects.

Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister said government was committed to decentralization and urged the district assemblies to ensure their area councils function effectively.

He expressed concern about the poor performance of some area councils and warned that funds for projects, which were not being utilized would be returned to government chest.

Mr Affram Asiedu urged the beneficiary area councils to take good care of the equipment and work hard to make the necessary impact on the communities. Mr Emmanuel Ntow-Bediako, Asuogyaman District Chief Executive on behalf of the assemblies, expressed appreciation to CBRDP for the gesture and gave the assurance that the assemblies would ensure the area councils performed creditably. Some of the beneficiary assemblies were, East-Akyem, Birim North, Akuapem North, Kwahu-South, Fanteakwa and Asuogyaman.