Regional Ministers pledge to work hard to ensure accelerated development
Regional Ministers have stated that they have been re-energized by their appointments and are ready to deliver to ensure accelerated development in their respective regions.
They indicated that as agents of change, they would work assiduously to positively influence the realization of the President’s vision for the nation.
The three-day meeting, which is the first by regional ministers under the President Akuffu Addo administration, held in Kumasi from 14th to 16th December 2017 under the theme, “STRATEGIC PLANNING TOWARDS GHANA BEYOND AID”
The meeting was intended to provide the regional ministers the opportunity to digest government development objectives and bring them in line with the development aspirations of the people in the regions.
In a communiqué’ issued after the meeting, the regional minister said ‘’Our government is making frantic efforts to fulfilling its promises in the manifesto to Ghanaians’’.
The Regional minister observed that strenuous efforts are being made to fulfill all the Flagship Programmes like the Free SHS Policy, One District One Factory, and Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme, One village-One Dam, Planting for Food and Jobs among other initiatives.
“We have a duty to serve and play a key role in the implementation of policies and programmes of government in order to deliver on numerous promises to transform our national economy,’’ it added.
The regional ministers resolved to initiate mechanisms to facilitate proper coordination and playing a role in strengthening the operations of the Buffer Stock Company.
They also urged the requisite national institutions to resolve all boundary disputes among MMDAs.
The communiqué pledged to strengthen the monitoring of MMDAs to ensure judicious use of financial resources with special emphasis on Internally Generated Funds.
They noted that, there are high expectations and demands by the public for the fulfillment of allour ambitious promises in the manifesto, therefore, there is need for Regional Ministers (RMs) to monitor all monies that are allocated to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and not only District Assemblies Common Funds (DACFs).
full communique’
1.0 PREAMBLE
We, the ten (10) Regional Ministers;
- Having participated in the First Conference of Regional Ministers’ in the Seventh Government of the Forth Republic held in Kumasi from 14th to 16th December 2017 under the THEME “STRATEGIC PLANNING TOWARDS GHANA BEYOND AID”
- Having been acquainted with the state of the economy and priority areas of government aimed at advancing the government flagship programmes;
- Taking cognisance on the vital roles of the Regions in the decentralized process under the Local Governance Act 936, its challenges, potentials and roles in delivering more responsible, accountable and equitable development.
- Noting that we can strategically plan as a Nation without the over reliance of foreign aid.
2.0 GRATITUDE
The Conference of Regional Ministers’ is grateful to all who contributed in making this Conference a success namely:
- His Excellency, President Nana AddoDankwaAkuffoAddo for granting us the permission to hold this Conference.
- His Excellency, the Vice President, AlhajiDr.MahamuduBawumia for his insightful and thought-provoking key note address during the Official Opening of the Conference.
- The host Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council and the good people of Ashanti Region for their warm reception and hospitality.
- In particular, His Royal Majesty Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II through Nana Adu Gyamfi II, Adontenhene for chairing the opening ceremony with his august presence.
- The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama for her role in the organization of this Conference.
- Head of Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur for the provision of Facilitators and Resource Persons.
3.0 WE ARE GRATIFIED THAT;
- Our government is making frantic efforts to fulfilling its promisesin the manifesto to Ghanaians.
- Strenuous efforts are being made to fulfill all the Flagship Programmes like the Free SHS Policy, One District One Factory, and Infrastructure for Poverty EradicationProgramme, One village One Dam, Planting for Food and Jobs among other initiatives.
4.0 WE RECOGNIZED THAT;
- There are high expectations and demands by the public for the fulfillment of allour ambitious promises in the manifesto.
- There is need for Regional Ministers (RMs) to monitor all monies that are allocated to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and not only District Assemblies Common Funds (DACFs)
- Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs) have a key role to play in the implementation of policies and programmes of government in order to deliver on numerous promises to transform our national economy.
- There is the need for Regional Ministers (RMs) who are representatives of His Excellency the President to the Regions to effectively and efficiently coordinate, monitor and evaluate government’s FlagshipProgrammes such as: Free SHS Policy, One District One Factory, Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme, One Village One Dam, Planting for Food and Jobs among others.
- There is the need for information flow from Coordinators of these various Flagship Programmesto the RCCs.
5.0 WE HEREBY RESOLVE TO;
- Initiate mechanisms to facilitate proper coordination and playing a role in strengthening the operations of the Buffer Stock Company.
- Urge the requisite national institutions to resolve all boundary disputes among MMDAs.
- Strengthen the monitoring of MMDAs to ensure judicious use of financial resources with special emphasis on Internally Generated Funds.
6.0 FINALLY, WE WISH TO ASSURE:
- His Excellency the President of our total commitment to ensuring that all policies under his administration are fully implemented for the greater good of Ghanaians.
DATED 16TH DECEMBER, 2017 AT GOLDEN BEAN HOTEL, KUMASI
Source otecfmghana.com/ Nana Asare Barimah
