MMDAs urged to make economic use of local communities

The Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development has developed a process of invigorating the economic activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to help foster growth in their areas.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Minister for the Local Government and Rural Development, who said this at a two-day training of trainers (TOT) workshop at Elmina, added that it was time the various assemblies made innovative efforts to identify the many economic opportunities in their areas and help improve the fortunes of their people.

The event was to help train participants on the use of Local Economic Development (LED) Operational Manual to ensure a deeper understanding of the process of LED and to develop a core competent team of LED facilitators.

The Local Government Ministry with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), developed National framework for LED to strengthen economic development at the local level.

The framework also seeks to guide MMDAs to promote local level development and ensure that LED is implemented in their medium term plans.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo appealed to the Assemblies to work with private investors and organizations to identify and develop facilities, tourist sites and other economic ventures not only to beautify their localities but to create employment opportunities.

He said the assemblies could also consider establishing employment generating initiatives like transport services, rest stops and car parks.

Madam Christiana Ahenkorah, an official of the UNDP, urged all assemblies to tap all the resources in their localities and create wealth for economic growth.

Source: GNA