Minister admits challenges in implementing decentralisation policy framework
Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said despite the success made after the launch of the National Decentralisation Policy Framework and Action Plan there are still challenges in its implementation.
He urged those with the responsibility to manage the nation’s resources equitably as possible to ensure the highest quality of life for the people.
Mr Oppong-Fosu was speaking at a day’s policy orientation workshop organised by the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralised Secretariat (IMCC) for decentralisation reforms focal persons in Accra on Wednesday.
The Minister said the policy was meant to re-orientate and reinvigorate the intentioned decentralisation reforms as outlined in Article 240 of the 1992 Constitution.
The workshop was the IMCC’s effort to advance decentralisation reforms in the country and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are each represented as focal persons.
He said the spirit of the Better Ghana Agenda, epitomised by President John Dramani Mahama, is about investing in people, jobs and the economy and the local level is the appropriate place to start.
“Our Ghanaian decentralisation process is intended to ensure that people participate meaningfully in the processes for realising their rights to education, security, good health, jobs, and shelter, freedom of association and expression as well as representation in governance.
“Sectorally, we have all achieved a great deal. But working together will ensure that we achieve much more. We shall also benefit from the inputs of the best brains available to us, nationally and even internationally,” he said.
He said he had no doubt that Ghana would succeed.
Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, a Governance expert, said chiefs are indispensable in the local governance system because they hold the lands needed for the utilisation of development.
He noted that because chiefs are not effectively integrated into the system, it had affected effective implementation of the local governance system.
Dr Callitus Mahama, Executive Secretary of IMCC, expressed the need for the ministries, departments and agencies to co-ordinate in implementing decentralisation programmes to achieve the maximum success.
Source: GNA