Minister advocates equitable share of resources

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Nii Lante Vandepuye, is advocating equitable allocation of resources to the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country.

Speaking at the 2015 District League Table launch in Accra, he said this is the only way to address disparities in the performance of various districts toward rapid socio-economic growth.

“The results of this year’s District League Table should tell us that we have a lot to do in ensuring that the disparities in quality of services rendered at the various lower levels of governance are addressed.

“The situation where government’s interventions and donor-funded projects appear to be centred on a specific area only does not make for equitable use of resources for overall national development,” he said -- citing an example from the Northern Region where one can find several NGOs and donor agencies engaged in several developmental projects in one specific district.

The District League Table released by UNICEF and CDD-Ghana ranks the level of development in the 216 MMDAs in the country on six key sectors: namely health, education, sanitation, water, security and governance.

The broader objective of the survey is to strengthen social accountability for improved responsiveness toward service delivery in the various districts toward national development.

Mr. Vanderpuye indicated that the table should guide better planning and use of resources in a manner that will ensure lagging districts are empowered, as this will lead to rapid growth of the country.

He cautioned the media not to see the ranking as a name-and-shame tool, but rather a platform for constructive criticism from citizens and policymakers toward socio-economic development.

Country representative for UNICEF Susan Ngongi said the table should be seen as a tool: one that pin-points key areas that need investments in human capital and resources to improve service delivery for improved growth.

She said: “The District League Table seeks to ensure development and progress, at both the regional and national levels, that will translate into rapid national growth”.

Tema Metropolitan Assembly ranked first on the league table as the Best-Performing Assembly in the country; with La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal, Atwima Nwabiagya, Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Awutu Senya taking the second to fifth slots respectively.

Gomoa West, Karaga, Wa East, Agona West Municipal and Gushiegu made up the bottom five assemblies on the league table.