Ho (Volta Region) 13 Jan '99
District Assemblies in the Volta Region have been directed to stop awarding contracts in order to service their indebtedness to reduce pressure on their common fund.
Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta Regional Minister gave the directive at a meeting with the 12 District Chief Executives (DCEs) in the region at Ho on Tuesday which, coincided with the swearing-in of two new District Chief Executives.
They are Mr Benjamin Kwame Nyame for Nkwanta District and Mr Henry Kwadjo Ametefe for the Ketu District.
Alhaji Iddi said punitive action will be taken against district assemblies which do not comply with the directive.
He asked the district chief executives to improve on their revenue collection to generate enough funds to settle their debts.
The Chief Executives were also urged to come out with appropriate measures and strategies to combat the incidence of ghost names, waste of government resources, embezzlement and other malpractices in their districts, adding, "this practice is unacceptable and criminal".
The Regional Minister asked the DCEs to move from the position of ceremonial heads and serve as agents of change in their communities; " you are accountable to the people around whom development revolves".
