The Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has charged Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the Eastern Region to take deliberate steps to identify and harness economic opportunities within their jurisdictions to support the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking at a Regional Interface with 33 MMDCEs in the region held at the Residency in Koforidua on Thursday May 29, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development stated that MMDCEs must not only rely on central government interventions and Policies but also become policy innovators within their municipalities and districts.
“You are the arrowheads for development and the fulcrum around which local economic transformation revolves,” he stated. “
“You are the arrowheads for development and the fulcrum around which development revolves.Don’t only rely on government policies because you are also going there as a policy maker so once you are are looking at the Macro policy making environment you must also look at the micro policy making environment “. He stated
As MMDCEs, decentralize your thinking and reposition yourselves to identify opportunities that can operationalize the 24-hour economy initiative, tackle unemployment, and improve livelihoods.”
He explained that the 24-hour economy concept, which seeks to optimize economic productivity through around-the-clock business operations, demands decetralized pragmatic action to unlock local industries, agro-processing ventures, hospitality services, and support services that can thrive under extended working hours.
“Reposition yourself and see what are the opportunities in my municipality or district that I can leverage on to ensure that the 24 hour economy benefits our people to tackle the huge unemployment. Don’t only rely on government policies because you are also going there as a policy maker so once you are are looking at the Macro policy making environment you must also look at the micro policy making environment”
Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo reaffirmed the NDC government’s commitment to decentralization stating that for the first time since the 1992 Constitution, Assembly Members will now receive monthly allowances following a budgetary provision — a promise captured in the NDC manifesto.
“This brings with it greater responsibility. You must develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Assembly Members because, as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected,” Dr. Ofosu Ampofo said.
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He noted that the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) has been engaging stakeholders to review Ghana’s decentralization strategy since 2019 and chart a new course forward.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo also advised the MMDCEs to be mindful of their conduct, both in public and private, stressing that as direct representatives of President John Dramani Mahama, they must reflect his values of humility, knowledge, and commitment to lawful governance.
On her part, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, highlighted the need for MMDCEs to boost Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to finance local initiatives.
” I urge you to develop clear, realistic, and innovative strategies for improving revenue mobilization within your jurisdictions. Explore new revenue streams, enforce existing by-laws and build the capacity of your revenue officers”. said Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.
The Eastern Regional Minister further encouraged the use of technology to modernize revenue collection systems, reduce leakages, and improve accountability, stressing that public trust would be vital for the success of the government’s ambitious economic agenda.
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” Let us also engage local stakeholders, such as the traditional authorities, business communities, and civil society, in identifying sustainable opportunities for revenue generation. Above all, leverage technology where possible to modernise your systems and reduce leakages” Said the Regional Minister .
She assured the MMDCEs of the Regional Coordinating Council’s (RCC) support in providing strategic guidance, technical assistance, and coordination to enable them to fulfill their mandates effectively.
Present at the event were Council of state Member Evelyn Korang, Eastern Regional Chairman of NDC Dr.Mark Oliver Kevor, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MASLOC, Richard Lartey.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
