Akim Oda (E/R), Aug. 17, GNA - The Government in its bid to deepen democracy in Ghana, has initiated a process to bring good governance to the doorsteps of the people and also facilitate accelerated development. Mr Frank Kwame Busumtwi, Municipal Chief Executive for Birim Central Municipal Assembly, made the statement in a welcome address at this year's National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Eastern Regional Annual General Delegates Conference in Akim Oda.

Mr Busumtwi expressed gratitude to government for elevating Birim South District to a municipality, namely Birim Central Municipality, while a new district that bore the old name Birim South District was carved, with a district capital at Akim Swedru.

The Municipal Chief Executive urged NALAG members to help educate the public on the need to ensure peace during the December 2008 elections.

Mr Mawutor Goh, President of NALAG said the association with the support of the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development, was working towards the implementation of the Local Government Service, which could enhance administrative decentralisation in the country. He noted that the Legislative Instrument (L.I) to bring into force the Local Government Service Act (Act 656), to enhance the integration of the decentralised departments into the district assemblies, had been laid before Parliament for consideration.

Mr Goh, who is also the Ho Municipal Chief Executive said: "It is anticipated that when the instrument comes into force, the administrative problems of the assemblies would receive a big push towards resolution".

Mr George Aboagye, Eastern Regional Representative on the Executive Council of NALAG, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, the purpose of the conference was to discuss and collate ideas for the municipal assemblies.

Mr Aboagye, who is also the Presiding Member for Kwaebibrem District Assembly said the Eastern Regional NALAG, was made up of 63 members out of which 56 members attended the conference.