One Year Enough to Show Positive Results - DCEs Told

THE DEPUTY Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Yaw Adjei Duffour, has observed that one year in office is enough for District Chief Executives (DCEs) to perform very well.

"You would not be spared if you cause any blunder or misappropriate any funds belonging to your various district assemblies," he warned.


Duffour said this when he addressed the seventh monthly meeting of B/A DCEs held at Kenyasi in the Asutifi district.


The deputy minister reminded the DCEs of the NPP's promise of zero tolerance for corruption, and advised them to "let this policy be your guiding principle."


According to the deputy minister, if any DCE goes beyond this policy and commits a crime he would not be pardoned at all.


He advised them also to make sure that they are guided by the rules and regulations of the assemblies and must go according to the standing orders of the assemblies.

On the relationship between the DCEs and Presiding Members (PMs), Duffour told the DCEs that their roles and responsibilities are well defined in the standing orders of the Local Government Act.


He warned the DCEs to avoid infighting between them and the PMs since the DCEs and PMs have their roles to play.


Members of Parliament (MPs), according to Duffour, also have their roles to play and for that matter the DCEs must see them as partners in development, but not as rivals.


"You must co-operate and accommodate them as your MPs in your various districts," he advised.


The deputy minister challenged the DCEs to keep their ears close to the ground and listen in order to find solution to the concerns of all.

"When you are wrong and your attention is drawn to it please accept it in good faith," he further advised.


DCEs, as advised by the deputy minister, should always work in partnership with the centralized development, sub-committees of the assembly in order to achieve the goals and aspirations of the assembly.


On the award of contracts, Duffour cautioned the DCEs to be transparent in the award of contracts in order to avoid any shoddy deals.


In a communiqu? adopted at their sixth monthly meeting held at Atebubu, the DCEs called on the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to expedite action and go by the timetable drawn for the release of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).