Yieleh Chireh calls for constructive criticism of policies

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) on Friday urged members of the newly inaugurated Ministerial Advisory Board to criticise constructively activities of the Ministry for improved performance.

In addition, he asked them to provide good advice to deepen the country's decentralisation programme, solution to problems of urbanisation and migration that confronted the nation.

Inaugurating the nine-member Board in Accra, Mr. Yieleh Chireh said apart from other developmental challenges, the Ministry was currently faced with lack of office accommodation and qualified staff for the newly created district assemblies, which was hampering their efficiency. The membership of the board, which was drawn from the public and private sectors of the economy, would among other things promote constant interaction between the Ministry and the public. The Board would advise the Minister on policy directions, planning objectives and operational strategies to ensure that the grassroots were better served in implementation of programmes.

The Board chaired by the Minister has representatives from the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), Pentax Consultancy Services, Waste Management Contractors Association, Local Government Service, Institute of Local Government Service and National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana.

Mr. Yieleh Chireh said urbanising cities in the country required a long-term national policy, which would ensure that alternative arrangements and infrastructure were provided at the districts level to make people remain in their localities rather than relocating to cities which were already choked.

He said the Ministry was working to harmonise the local government legislations to further deepen the decentralisation agenda to make chief executives more accountable to the people.

Mr. Bishop Akologo, Executive Director of ISODEC and member of the Board promised to provide quality advice to the Ministry to enhance its relationship with the people. 1