Kumasi, Nov. 13, GNA - Mr. Kofi Opoku-Manu, Ashanti Regional Minister, has re-affirmed the government's determi nation to ensure that metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies operate more effectively. It would see to it that they are well resourced to deliver on the mandate of speeding up the pace of development of the communities. Mr Opoku-Manu was addressing a day's forum, to collate views towards the review of the Local Government Act. ACT 462, under which the assemblies have been operating, has existed for two decades and the general consensus is that it must be reviewed to reflect current realities.

The forum was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and among the participants, were district chief executives, chiefs, assembly members and other stakeholders. Mr. Opoku-Manu said there is no doubt that some significant achievements have been made through the district assembly concept, noting that, people at the grassroots now have responsibility for decisions affecting their local needs. He welcomed the forum as a step in the right direction which would "help us to collectively come out with recommendations and suggestions, that would help to fine tune various aspects of the decentralization programme." It has created a platform for cross-fertilization of ideas and views of the people to fashion out strategies for accelerated growth of the districts, he added.

He urged the participants to make sure that discussions are held in open and frank manner devoid of unnecessary politicization. Mr. Yaw Attakora Asamoah, National President for the Physically Challenged, called for fiscal decentralization to make the assemblies more effective.

The participants called on traditional leaders to play an active role in the decision making process of the assemblies. They also want the 30 percent deduction of the Assemblies' share of the Common Fund at source slashed.