Chiefs said to be frontline agents of good governance

Osabarima Danso Abiam Ofori, Chief of Nkronso in the Eastern Region, has noted that chiefs are frontline agents of good governance.

“A chief is an agent of local or community development,” he stressed.

He said a traditional ruler must show interest in social amenities that are being implemented in his local community.

Osabarima Abiam Ofori was interacting with the Media Network on Social Accountability, Unit of the Local Government Capacity Support Project, at his palace at Nkronso in the East Akim District.

He was speaking on the topic: “Do you know the number of approved social amenities in your locality?”

The chief, an appointee of the District Assembly, observed that the establishment of the District Assembly Common Fund has aided fiscal decentralisation in the country.

“More importantly, it has facilitated infrastructural and human resource development at the local level,” he said.

He said yet the fund is challenged in many ways, which include delays in the transfer of funds, lack of transparency and low levels of accountability.

Osabarima Abiam Ofori stated that citizens require both access to information and during consideration of the budget, which would ensure their informed participation in the debates.

The chief told the Ghana News Agency that: “There is ample evidence of low capacity and lack of understanding of some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) staff on the Financial Administration Act (FAA 2003), (Act 654) and Financial Administration Regulation.

He explained that generally, the level of MMDAs compliance with financial management standards is low, leading to a number of irregularities.

He said the cash anomalies are the most committed, followed by the procurement and contract irregularities and tax wrongdoings.

He said some of these irregularities are caused by administrative or procedural blunders, and not only through corrupt practices.

Source: GNA