With support from the French Government, a management reporting software system is being implemented in the Western Region.

It is to facilitate the timely submission and tracking of reports from the 22 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the region.

Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, the Regional Minister made this known at the opening of a three-day retreat for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) at Beyin in the Jomoro District.

He gave the assurance that the software would soon be installed at the various Assemblies, to enhance reporting on management issues to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

The event is intended to afford the MMDCEs the opportunity to exchange ideas, fraternize and chart the way forward for the development of their respective Assemblies.

It has as its theme: “Enhancing Local Development: The Roles of the Regional Co-ordinating Council and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to promote local Development.”

Mr. Aidoo reiterated the RCC’s commitment to provide technical and administrative expertise to the Assemblies, and continueto provide its constitutional mandate of supervising, monitoring and evaluating the Assemblies’ projects, to accelerate national development.

He charged the Assemblies to enforce their bye-laws through proper planning and good organization, in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

The Regional Minister entreated the Assemblies to take advantage of the public/private partnerships, in order to attract investment, to boost housing infrastructure, education and health facilities in their areas.

He charged the Assemblies to partner with companies operating in their jurisdictions, and come out with strategic programmes whose implementation would enhance the livelihoods of their people.

The Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described the region as the growth pole of the country, in view of its massive contributions towards the national economy.

He said, despite the numerous resources in the region, there were a lot of challenges with insufficient facilities, such as health, educational and social facilities and high youth unemployment.

He said the government was committed to protecting the oil and gas resources of the country, to inure to the benefit of the people.

This, he said, was the more reason why the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, Public Account Committee and Local Content and Participation policy were introduced, to protect the interest of Ghanaians.

He said the Atuabo gas processing plant was producing 100 million Standard Cubic Feet of gas daily to the Aboadze Power Plant for generation of electricity, and gave the assurance that the frequent power outages would soon come to an end.

The ceremony was graced by traditional rulers, officials from the RCC and other stakeholders.