Apam (C/R), Oct 22, GNA - The President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah has appealed to government to absolve Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) found to be owing genuine debts. He said it had been established that MMDAs were heavily indebted and could not undertake any meaningful development project in their areas.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Apam, Mr Aidoo-Mensah pointed out that if the MMDAs were asked to use their shares of the Common Fund to defray their debt, there would be nothing left for them to use for their development programmes.

He said when that happened people would not appreciate the government's effort to improve their conditions of living. Mr Aidoo-Mensah, who is also District Chief Executive for Gomoa West, said the appeal for debt relief must not been seen as the NALAG condoning wrong doing and urged government to punish those found culpable.

He cautioned his colleagues not to see the debt relief if granted as a licence to dissipate funds recklessly. The NALAG President commended the government for checking over deductions from the Common Fund by instituting that deductions could only be effected with a permission signed by DCE, Presiding Member and District Coordinating Director.

He expressed concern about the heavy demands being made by people on DCE, saying such demands, from payment of children's school fees, hospital bills to house-keeping money could make DCEs corrupt if it was not checked.

Some DCEs have developed "blood pressure" due to the constant demands on them.

Mr Aidoo Mensah appealed to he communities to take keen interest in the upcoming District Assembly elections to elect people with integrity to champion their cause in the Assemblies. He urged the academia not to see assembly work as something below their standard and offer themselves to for public service. 22 Oct.10