By Godwill Arthur- Mensah
Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister-designate, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has reiterated National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s support for the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) on non-partisan basis.
The NDC’s stance is in contravention with the opposition New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) position, which advocates election of MMDCEs on partisan lines.
The planned referendum in 2019 to decide whether the positions of MMDCEs should be elected was eventually suspended at the eleventh hour.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim said the government had identified district assemblies’ boundaries as a challenge, and upon approval, would do a lot of consultations to addressing the issues.
The Local Government Ministry, he said, would work towards ensuring timely release of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to enable the MMDCEs to work expeditiously in their various jurisdictions.
Commenting on how government would leverage traditional leaders in the development efforts of assemblies, the nominee said, his outfit intended to establish Royal Academy of Chiefs, as a Faculty of the University of Local Government Studies, to provide capacity-building courses for chiefs.
That, he said, would enable traditional leaders to enhance their knowledge and understanding of local governance issues and contribute meaningfully towards developing their respective areas.
“There will be an inter-face of chiefs, Pastors, Imams, MPs and MMDCEs to identify the basic needs of the assemblies, and collectively find means to addressing them,” he added.
The nominee indicated that the government would set up a platform to bring together all former ministers of the Local Government ministry to support the planning of the development of the various assemblies.
The nominee was of the belief that the development of the assemblies should not revolve around the MMDCEs alone but must be a collaborative effort of the stakeholders in the area.
“Upon my approval, I will work towards ensuring radical shift of mindset at the various assemblies no matter the cost to rally the human resource in the area to accelerate development.
“The Ministry will deepen ethical efficiency and good governance at the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies,” Mr Ibrahim stated.
Commenting on his plans to increase revenue for the local assemblies, Mr Ibrahim said his outfit would promote the automation of revenue mobilisation drive to curb leakage.
To that end, he said, government would engage national service personnel to collect revenue at the various assemblies and based on their performance, they would retain them as permanent staff or otherwise.
GNA