Rawlings worried about activities of illegal land developers

Accra (Greater Accra) 25 May '99

President Rawlings said on Monday that he is aware of the incessant pressure brought to bear on District Chief Executives by party executives and party activists for the award of contracts for which they do not qualify or the conferment of benefits and privileges which they do not deserve.

"This is not right and must stop." He said when commissioning the Institute of Local Government Studies at Ogbodjo, near Madina.

The functions of the institute include training local government officers and assembly members. It will also perform documentation, information, research, advisory and consultancy services.

The President announced that soon the government would be publishing a Code of conduct for public officials. This code will apply to party officials as well and is

intended, among others, to ensure that those who win contracts at the District and other levels do so on merit.

President Rawlings also expressed concern about the activities of illegal land developers and said District Assemblies have been reluctant to deal with the problem.

"Assemblies see the problems which illegal developers create and yet they are slow to act".

He said now that the Unit Committees are in place, District Assemblies should give the Committees the area plans of the various neighbourhoods.

The Unit Committees should be shown where the open spaces are, where the proposed schools, markets and other community amenities are supposed to be.

"In other words, empower the Unit Committees. Then let us see which developer will dare encroach on these public facilities and public rights of way, or block streams and invade protected areas," the President said.

President Rawlings said the Institute would also train the elected and appointed members of District Assemblies, Sub-District and Unit Committees.

He said many members are unaware of their powers, rights and obligations, and some do not know when they are exceeding their power.

President Rawlings expressed satisfaction at the "support and networking" relationship existing between the institute and the Institute of Housing and Urban Development in Rotterdam and Maastrich School of Management, both in Holland.

He suggested that the services of the Institute be extended to other countries in the sub-region as well as the rest of Africa to enhance linkages and partnership for good governance.

Linkages could also be established with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and the International Union of Local Authorities for experience and knowledge sharing on local government and good practice.

Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the World Bank provided credit to supplement budget allocations by the government for the construction of the institute as well as renovation of the old buildings of the Local Government Training School at Tamale.

GRi./