President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to decentralising development and empowering Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to respond directly to the needs of their communities.
According to the President, local communities are best positioned to identify their own development priorities because they understand their “felt needs” and the projects that are most important to them.
Speaking during an inspection of the Poyetanga 24-Hour Economy Market on the second day of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region, President Mahama said excessive centralisation of development resources had previously slowed the pace of development across the country.
He said his administration had therefore directed that 80 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund be transferred directly to the districts, with the Minister for Finance commended for ensuring that the releases are made on time.
President Mahama said the government had also provided clear guidelines for the use of the funds, including the construction of CHPS compounds, classroom blocks, sanitation facilities and other essential infrastructure.
He noted that the prompt release of funds is enabling MMDAs to undertake development projects at a faster pace, adding that many District Chief Executives and Municipal Chief Executives were making visible progress in their respective areas.
The President also reminded Assemblies that five per cent of the Common Fund is earmarked for Persons with Disabilities, urging them to release the money for its intended purpose rather than diverting it to other activities.
He said the government’s decentralisation agenda was aimed at allowing local authorities to take greater responsibility for development while ensuring that resources reached the people who needed them most.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭