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Local Govt Ministry to strengthen engagement among assemblies, stakeholders

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development has initiated an ICT-based feedback system to facilitate and strengthen engagement among units under assemblies and other stakeholders.

The Sector Minister, Mr Daniel Botwe, who disclosed this said the initiative which is known as DASHBOARD was meant to directly engage Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on pertinent issues in the assemblies.

He explained that all MMDCEs would be required under this system to provide updates on their deliberative and administrative functions, Local Economic Development, Revenue Mobilisation and Management, Infrastructure, Social Services as well as special initiatives and other government flagship programmes. 

Mr Botwe was speaking at the opening ceremony of the refresher training course for MMDCEs from five northern regions namely Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West in Tamale yesterday.

The refresher course among other things is aimed at enabling the MMDCES to reflect on their three-month experience on the job as local leaders and as forerunners of the President. 

It is also to give the MMDCEs the opportunity to share their experiences as feedbackto deepen their understanding on local governance and development management, as well as requirements for managing their respective local governments with business mindsets such as effectiveness, efficiency, value for money, social justice and inclusiveness.

The minister added that DASHBOARD would provide the appropriate strategies to obtain rare time feedback from MMDCEs, on the delivery of government programmes and projects for evidence-based decision making and policy direction at the Central Government level.

Mr Botwe revealed further that all assembly members and Presiding Members in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would be trained on leadership skills to enable them to provide effective oversight responsibility and representation of their local constituents.

He urged the MMDCEs to let the Local Government Act, Act 936 be their guide so that they could deliver on their mandate without any hindrances.

He hinted that the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) would be retooled to provide structural training to all categories of local government functionaries and staff. 

Mr Botwe mentioned that the retooling would enable it to build capacities of the various stakeholders in order to deliver on their mandates.

That he added would help them to develop new leadership and managerial competence and professionalism to enhance their performances. 

On his part, the Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shaani Alhassan Shaibu in his speech implored the MMDCEs to take the programme serious, and contribute meaningfully to discussions in order to be on top of their jobs.

He further reminded them of the need to compliment the efforts of the central government in its developmental agenda to deliver the needed development to the people. 

Alhaji Shaibu encouraged them to improve their relationship with the citizenry at the grassroots level to be able to identify their needs and provide the necessary solutions.

FROM YAKUBU ABDUL-MAJEED, TAMALE

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