The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has demanded greater accountability and value for money in the use of public funds by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), warning that every cedi allocated for development must translate into tangible benefits for residents.
He made the call at the Nanton District Accountability Series/Town Hall Meeting, where the District Assembly accounted to residents on its programmes, projects, achievements and utilisation of public resources.
The forum brought together traditional and religious leaders, Assembly members, heads of departments, civil society organisations, development partners, farmers, women, youth, persons with disabilities and residents from communities across the district.
Mr Adolf said the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and other public resources were intended to address critical development needs, including education, healthcare, roads, water and sanitation, agriculture, social protection and local economic development.
He said increased financial resources to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies must be matched by transparency, prudent financial management, effective supervision and value for money.
“Every cedi entrusted to the Assembly must translate into tangible and sustainable development,” he stressed, urging the Assembly to prioritise projects based on the genuine needs of residents.
The minister also called for stronger community engagement, saying residents must be adequately informed about projects being financed with public funds and given opportunities to monitor their implementation.
He said citizen participation in accountability platforms was essential to building public confidence in local government and ensuring that duty bearers remained responsive to the needs of their communities.
The District Chief Executive for Nanton, Abdul Rahaman Zenabu Rosina, said the Accountability Series was not merely a statutory requirement but an opportunity for the Assembly to directly account to residents, explain its use of public resources, acknowledge challenges and receive feedback.
She said the Assembly had prioritised education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, potable water, sanitation, youth empowerment, social protection and local economic development.
The DCE identified agriculture as a major pillar of the district’s economy and said the Assembly would continue to support initiatives targeting increased agricultural productivity, livestock production, agro-processing and value addition.
She also stressed the need to create sustainable opportunities for young people through skills development, entrepreneurship and employment.
On sanitation, Madam Rosina appealed to traditional and religious leaders, households, businesses, schools and market operators to take greater responsibility for keeping their communities clean.
24-hour economy market
The Regional Minister also urged the Nanton Assembly to ensure the effective implementation of the government’s 24-hour Economy Market project in the district, describing it as an opportunity to expand local commerce, create jobs and strengthen economic activity.
He directed that the project must be delivered according to approved specifications, timelines and quality standards.
Mr Adolf cautioned contractors against unnecessary delays, poor workmanship and the use of substandard materials, stressing that strong supervision was necessary to protect public funds and secure value for money.
He said a properly completed market would provide a conducive environment for traders and businesses while contributing to local economic growth and employment.
Project inspection
Following the town hall meeting, the minister and his delegation, led by the DCE, inspected selected development projects across the district.
The inspection was aimed at assessing the progress, quality and impact of ongoing projects, while also identifying challenges that could delay their completion.
Mr Adolf engaged contractors and local officials on measures to ensure that projects were delivered on schedule and to the required standards. He tasked the Assembly to strengthen monitoring and supervision to prevent delays and ensure value for money.
The minister also inspected and commissioned selected completed projects for use by beneficiary communities.
Earlier, Mr Adolf paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Nanton, Naa Bawa, where he briefed the traditional leader on the purpose of his visit and the government’s efforts to strengthen local development through increased support to MMDAs.
He called for continued collaboration among the traditional authority, Assembly, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that government interventions achieved their intended objectives.
Mr Adolf commended the Nanton Assembly for organising the Accountability Series and urged it to institutionalise regular engagements that allow residents to question officials, monitor projects and participate actively in local development.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting MMDAs with resources and policy direction, while stressing that accountability, efficient project supervision and citizen participation must remain central to local governance.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
