NALAG to assess impact of District Assemblies' Common Fund

Accra, Nov. 26, GNA - The National Association of Local Authority of Ghana (NALAG) on Wednesday launched a programme to assess the impact of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) on the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) in all the 10 regions.

Mr Wigbert Dogoli, NALAG President told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the programme, sought to introduce the broad framework of the GPRS, which the district Assemblies would develop and design specific plans for the promotion of good governance and reduction of poverty.

The NALAG President said the regional impact assessment would also provide a better understanding of the broad objectives, set goals and the roles of the district assemblies, civil society organisations and the private sector.

It would also share experience on other strategies aimed at reducing poverty. Mr Dogoli said NALAG would organise regional forums in collaboration with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) an international non-governmental organisation that tried to empower the poor and marginalized. He said: "We also seek to provide a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas, viewpoints and information on matters of common interest relating to local government administration." A GPRS document titled: "Agenda for Growth and Prosperity 2003 to 2005," stated that it sought to ensure sustainable equitable growth, accelerated poverty reduction and the protection of the vulnerable and those excluded from participating in a decentralized democratic environment.

It also seeks to maintain stable market conditions that would enable producers and consumers of goods and services to plan their activities.

Other objectives of the GPRS are to increase access to basic needs of life in addition to developing a strong human resource base that would enable people to identify and take advantage of opportunities.

It would create conditions that would encourage the development of new ideas and as a result increase levels of production and employment.

The GPRS would provide support to persons living in very difficult situations and are gradually being excluded from the process of development.

The regional forums begin in Greater Accra on December 9; Eastern, December 11; Volta, December 12; Upper West, January 19 2004 and Upper East January 21. The rest are: Northern, January 22; Brong Ahafo, January 27; Ashanti, January 28; Central, February 10 and the Western Region on February 11 2004.