ACCELERATE DECENTRALISATION (PAGE 3, DEC 22)

THE Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Amarh Ashitey, has called on the sub-metropolitan assemblies to help accelerate the process of decentralisation in the country.
Mr Ashitey, who was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the members of the sub-metropolitan assemblies, added that the current decentralisation process was slow, consequently there was the need to speed up the process.
The for sub-metros were Ayawaso East, Ayawaso Central, Ablekuma South, Ashiedu Keteke, La, Okaikoi North and Okaikoi South.
He said decentralisation thrived on the fundamental principle that government machinery should be centralised to ensure grass-root participation.
“It also ensures the transfer of planning, programming, budgeting, and implementation to the district and sub-district levels”, he stated.
Mr Ashitey urged the council of the sub- metros to take a critical look at the legislative instrument that established the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, including keeping of records of all rateable properties in their areas and collecting rates fixed and levied by the assembly.








Also he noted that the council should prepare annual estimates covering recurrent and development expenditure for inclusion in the AMA budget among other responsibilities.
He advised the Assembly to be prepared to share its power, functions and resources with the councils and committees.
He cautioned the council not to indulge themselves in any legal activities such as issuing of unauthorised permits, illegal collection of fees and the issue of fake receipt on behalf of the Assembly.
“ It will be in your own interest if you resist the temptation of giving approval for unauthorised structures especially kiosks and containers in our localities”, he added.
Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Chief Executive for Accra said the sub - metros were empowered to perform delegated functions of the Assembly to make the management and administration of the city a shared responsibility.
He added that the implementation of policies would take place at the sub- structure level, on which the success of the Assembly depend largely on.
He said the AMA was faced with many challenges which needed to be addressed.
Mr Vanderpuije said the increase urbanisation had caused traffic congestion, pressures on infrastructural facilities, poor sanitation, inadequate housing which some were as a result of indiscipline and apathy.
He noted that there were pillars adopted by the AMA to reduce the problem such as decongestion in Accra, implement the waste to energy project to enhance sanitation and waste management, improve the drainage system, rehabilitate old roads and construct new ones, modernise education and health services, enhance and mobilise revenue and provide other social- economic facilities.
He advised the councillors to avoid and resist any temptations that would lure them in acts which are not accepted by the Assembly’s rules and regulations
Mr Vanderpuije called on the councillors to assist in the decongestion and demolition exercises which was underway at Dansoman; chorkor road construction, Mamprobi; Dansoman Estates Guggisberg road construction and Chemunaa; Mamponse storm drain and drainage development with street lights.