Transition period must not impede district assemblies’ work- Saaka
The Deputy Coordinating Director of the Agona West Municipal Assembly, Mr Ibrahim Saaka, has stated that district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies’ work should not be truncated as a result of the transitional period.
According to the Deputy Director, the administrative structures of the assemblies should continue to function until new political heads were appointed.
Mr Saaka made the remark at a forum organized by the Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (SPEFA), a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) at Agona Swedru.
It was aimed at educating citizens on district assembly structures and policies.
Some of the topics treated were revenue mobilization and social accountability.
The forum was attended by heads of department, hairdressers, tailors and dressmakers, Assembly members, Coalition of NGOs, students, artisans and staffs of Agona West Municipal Assembly.
Others were Unit Committee members, traders, Traditional rulers and Persons with Disability (PWD).
Mr Saaka said though a political head of the Assembly was yet to be appointed, work of the Assembly was progressing steadily, especially in the area of revenue generation.
He stated that directors of the assemblies and heads of the decentralized departments were working hard to ensure that the functions of the assemblies did not come to a halt.
The Deputy Director assured the participants that the Assembly would not rely on the District Common Fund alone, but would also work earnestly to ensure that Internal Generated Fund (IGF) was highly improved.
He urged the citizens of Agona West Municipality to erase the notion that the Assembly was corrupt; adding that, the doors of the Assembly were opened and welcomed constructive criticism.
He commended the NGO for assisting the participants to understand the work of the Assembly.
Mr Wilfred Kweku Saasah, Representative of the NGO, said it was the responsibility of the district assembly staffs to educate citizens on how revenue generation and other resources received were used.
He stated that failure on the part of some district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to render accountability to the citizenry had contributed to non-payment of taxes on their businesses.
Mr Saasah urged the assemblies to keep accurate data especially on revenue mobilization to encourage the people to pay their tolls and other taxes promptly to facilitate development.
He stated that the 2016 elections were over and therefore urged the people to put their political affiliation aside and support the new government to enhance economic development.
Source: GNA