A second Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting to review the work plans of institutions implementing the District Assemblies Common Fund-Responsiveness Factor Grant (DACF-RFG) Programme was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) on 3^rd May 2024.

The institutions are the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), the Institute of Local Government Service (ILGS), the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD).

Discussions also centered on updates on the financial disbursement of the District Assemblies Performance Assessment Tools (DPAT 6 & 7) Six and Seven and the recruitment of experts to support project implementation.

The Chairman for the TWG stated the need for the implementing institutions to be responsible and focus on the alignment of issues on planning and distribution of funds for projects.

He emphasised the Government of Ghana aims to drive development at the local level through the District Assemblies and said the job of the ILGS is to drive the work plans of the Government to its fruition.

Thus, funds for the implementation of projects should be sent to OHLGS and ILGS as they are the implementing institutions and not the districts. This, he stated, will ensure the tracking of project performance.

RHODALINE ABBA AND HUMBLE OWUSU YEBOAH

(MLGDRD, PUBLIC RELATIONS)

The Policy Fair and Exhibition officially opened today at the Civil Service Week Celebration, highlighting the critical role of the civil service in promoting sub-regional peace and security.

The exhibition features exhibit from various government agencies and institutions, showcasing their initiatives and programs aimed at promoting peace and security in the sub-region. The event aims to promote dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among civil servants, security experts, and regional stakeholders.

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) together with its Agencies and Allied Institutions were present at the Fair to showcase services they render to the nation.

Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoh, Head of the Civil Service, emphasized the importance of effective collaboration and information sharing in addressing emerging security threats and promoting sub-regional peace.

The Policy Fair and Exhibition will run throughout the week, providing a platform for civil servants, security experts, and regional stakeholders and the general public to engage and share knowledge on promoting sub-regional peace and security.

To mitigate the impact of flooding, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to move all authorized structures from buffers, especially within the Greater Accra Region.

MMDAs are also cautioned to adhere to their mandate of ensuring proper planning in their various jurisdictions to mitigate flooding.

These directives were issued on behalf of the Government Representative of the Ministry, Hon Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah who explained that by law, District Assemblies have the responsibility to ensure drains and gutters were de-silted.

In expressing the Ministry’s displeasure, he noted that buffers protect drains that are constructed to minimise flooding during rainy seasons, however, some sections of society illegally encroach these buffers and this hastens the flooding processes since their activities serve as obstructions to the waters that come as a result exacerbating the impact of the flooding.

He said the Ministry is aware some of the encroachments may be illegal, it is however, also aware that some of the encroachers have documents and leases from various Assemblies, this means that the Assemblies know of their presence in these unauthorised areas and have rather empowered the encroachers in this regard.

Speaking at a press briefing, Hon. Korsah indicated that the Ministry has observed with serious concern the non-performance of some Assemblies and called on the media to collaborate with the Ministry to educate the Public.

The media engagement was to send a signal and directive to those who have illegally built along the buffer areas and Assemblies who issue permits or leases for unauthorized structures serving as obstruction to planning processes and cause flooding to desist from such acts.

Also, Assemblies must ensure that such structures and properties are moved since they will be held accountable by the Ministry if such structures are found in unauthorized places.

The rains are about to start, all Assemblies are to desilt chocked gutters as funds have been disbursed to 17 beneficiary Municipal Assemblies under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

Source:     Ernest Tweneboah Koduah
                 (Public Relations Unit, MLGDRD)