Assemblies cry for stimulus package as coronavirus erodes revenue sources

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country are asking government to make available a stimulus package to save them from crashing.

The umbrella body for these Assemblies, National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) wants to be factored into the COVID-19 stimulus packages to businesses.

According to President of NALAG, Bismark Biesie, the pandemic has negatively affected revenue mobilization of the assemblies, thus the SOS call to enable them function.

Addressing the media, Mr. Biesie disclosed a tour of the 216 assemblies to ascertain challenges hindering the fight against COVID-19 has revealed a dire situation that needs urgent attention.

Bismark Biesie further disclosed that lack of proper coordination between the districts health directorates and the various assemblies is hampering the country’s efforts in fighting the viral disease.

The coronavirus pandemic is driving upheavals in the economies on the globe as countries are getting hit harder by the pandemic.

The Akufo-Addo administration in the early days of the pandemic made audacious statement about reviving the Ghanaian economy despite the extent of the crisis.

“We know what to do to bring back our economy back to life. What we do not know how to do is to bring people back to life” President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo told Ghanaians in an address to the nation on measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus.

But his arch-rival, Mr. Mahama, believes the dramatic fall of the economy was only salvaged following the rescue by the International monetary Fund(IMF).