Minister says local development not sole responsibility of government

Koforidua June 25, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, on Friday urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District sssemblies (MMDA's) to do away with the perception that Local Economic Development (LED) was the responsibility of central government.

He said that mentality needed to be changed and re-assessed since the promotion of that programme at the local level would enhance local opportunities, employment potentials, wealth creation, revenue mobilization and the broadening of the tax base of district assemblies. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was opening a day's LED Workshop in Koforidua organized by the National Association of Local Government (NALAG). Planning officers and assembly members drawn from the Eastern, Volta, Greater Accra, Western and Central Regions attended the workshop. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said in adopting and promoting that initiative, district assemblies must bring on board all stakeholders including traditional authorities, Community Based Organizations (CBO), private sector operators, public sector providers of business support services and government departments.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the LED Initiatives were designed to encourage local participation and consensus building in determining economic and social welfare initiatives for improving the standard of living in the rural and urban communities.

Mr Samuel Fleischer Kwabi, Eastern Regional representative of NALAG, said NALAG was determined to ensure that its members create an environment that enabled the stimulation of new opportunities in the districts where there may be limited existing opportunities for economic growth. He said LED strengthens and re-enforces good governance and identify sustainable income generating opportunities for the local communities, particularly for the poor.

Mr Alex Asamoah, New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said strengthening MMDAs to be at the forefront of development at the local level had come with it other responsibilities. He indicated that the need to mobilize local resources and channel them into productive sectors of the local economy was a prerequisite for development at the local level.