Winneba (C/R), Dec. 15, GNA - The government has updated the integration of line departments in the various ministries into the Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies.

The move has been necessitated by the reforms government is carrying out in the country's Local Government Administration. Mr Michael Kobbina Essandoh, Central Regional Chief Director, Ministry of Local Government, Rural development and Environment, announced this at Winneba on Thursday.

He was briefing Heads of Departments and staff of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly on the changes made in the reforms which are expected to come into being as from the beginning of the ensuing year.

Under the new system departments which constitute the agricultural sector at the district level include; Animal Health and Production, Fisheries, Crops, Extension Services, Agric Engineering, Livestock, Veterinary Seed Inspection and others.

Public Works, Rural Housing, Feeder Roads and the Assembly's Works Unit constitute the Constituent Department of Works, while Town and Country Planning, Parks and Gardens are also grouped together under the umbrella of Physical Planning Constituent Department.

The Department of Social welfare and Community Development have also become one body, while Trade, Industry and Co-operatives is also pinned under Trade and Industry Constituent Department. Under the Youth and Sports sector, there are the Ghana Education Service, Youth, Sports and Library constituting one department. Office of the District Medical Officer of Health and Environmental Health Division constitute one department, while Ghana National fire Service (GNFS), and National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) also form one group.

Forestry Department and Wildlife come under Natural Resources Conservation constituent department under the new Local Government Service.

Establishments that form Central Administration Constituent Department are, General administration, District Planning, District Budgeting, Births and Deaths, as well as the Information Services Department.

Mr. Essandoh advised departmental heads in the Central Region to take note of the new changes and start preparing for the take off in January 2007.