Cape Coast, Jan. 30, GNA – Mr Daniel Kwaku Botwe, Minister of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, says the Ministry’s is committed to championing decentralization, with policy guidelines to enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Executives (MMDCEs) to function effectively.
He indicated that well resourced and effective decentralized local government structures was essential to deepening transparency, accountability and promoting popular participation at the local level.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day sensitization workshop for MMDCEs in Central, Eastern and Western regions in Cape Coast on Sunday, he said effective monitoring and supervision were needed in all government programmes and policies for positive impact.
The engagement seeks to orient the MMDCEs on their roles, responsibilities and introduce them to a common platform for experience sharing and energize them to improve performance.
They would also build their capacities in key areas, including the local government system in Ghana, improving communication skills, leadership and team building and managing MMDCE-stakeholder relationships.
Others are corporate financial management, policy direction and guidance from local government experts and peers.
Mr Botwe urged the MMDCEs to ensure that their new role triggered a better impact in the lives of all, saying this could be achieved by cooperating with all stakeholders in the discharge of the mandate of their office.
They must demonstrate a strong passion for government’s development projects and programmes in their respective areas of jurisdiction to achieve the desired impact.
Touching on monitoring and evaluation, he said, the Ministry in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Service, Head of Local Government Service will monitor, coordinate and ensure regular reporting in the performance of MMDCEs.
The Ministry will enhance the District Data Development Platform (DDDP) which is a computerised data-based system to be accessed by the MMDAs, RCCs, among others to provide real-time data for the assessment of district operations and performance.
“Additionally, the Ministry has initiated processes to develop a feedback ICT based system known as “DASHBOARD’’ to have direct feedback from MMDCEs on pertinent issues in the assemblies”, he revealed.
“It is envisaged that all MMDCEs will provide, at least quarterly feedback using the “DASHBOARD’’ and receive information in areas such as Deliberative and Administrative Functions of the District Assemblies.
Others are Local Economic Development, Revenue Mobilization and Management, Infrastructure, Social Services, Special Initiatives/ Flagship Programmes and any Other Issues of Interest,” he said.
Mr Botwe assured that the innovation will ascertain how well MMDCEs were doing and the quality of impact they were making towards the realization of the needs and aspirations of the people at the local level and their responsiveness to the Government’s business.
This, he noted will help MMDAs to implement projects and programmes and devise appropriate strategies to surmount any bottlenecks that may emerge with strict monitoring by the Regional Coordinating Councils for monitoring and evaluation.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, Central Regional Minister encouraged the MMDCEs to nurture a harmonious working relationship with all staff to enable them to give off their best.
They must always seek unity and harmony to take in the unalloyed support of all to accelerate development.
GNA