Local Authorities must constantly engage stakeholders -Dr Ato Arthur

Ing. Dr Nana Ato Arthur, Head of Local Government Service said there is the need for local authorities to constantly engage and dialogue with stakeholders through every available avenue to engender trust and confidence.

He said it was important to draw stakeholders’ attention to the mandate of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) which appears to be very limited, given modern day dynamics of Local government administration.

Dr Ato Arthur said this at the maiden conference of Regional Minister, Regional Chief and Coordinating Directors and Deans’ of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chiefs from the various regions.

The two-day conference, which is on the theme: “Deepening Decentralisation and Local Governance for Accelerated Development in Ghana: The Role of Key Stakeholders,” is to take the participants through Ghana’s Decentralisation policy document and how to achieve the document targeted goals.

He said the theme brings into sharp focus the social contract that exists between the local government authorities and the citizens.

This, Dr Ato Arthur said, means that local government authorities must galvanise the energies of all stakeholders to live up to expectation by being aware of their rights and responsibilities and their unique roles towards achieving the desired development.

Madam Akosua FremahOpare, the Chief of Staff advised Regional Ministers and Regional Chief Directors to establish and maintain strong and peaceful relationships with Chiefs, Opinion and Religious leaders in their various jurisdictions.

She said the peaceful co-existence between government representatives, administrators and traditional authorities in the regions were the easiest way to facilitate development in the areas.

The Chief of Staff said the government was aware of the problems of the various Regional Coordinating Councils and assured that the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was working hard to reduce the burden on Ghanaians and improve their living conditions.

The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development said the theme for the conference highlights the critical role of decentralisation and democratic Governance in the transformational agenda of our local development process which was relevant in three ways.

He underscores the need for the leadership of the Regional Co-ordinating Councils to find innovative and creative ways for efficient, effective and excellent service delivery to the citizenry both at the Regional and District levels.

Mr Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, in his welcome address urged his colleague regional ministers and Chief Directors to provide strategic direction that promotes accountability and transparency.

He said the theme acknowledges the need for RCCs to leverage the existing resources and expertise of stakeholders to accelerate development to bring some appreciable level of comfort, wealth and security.

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