Accra, March 18, GNA - Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development on Wednesday said government was committed to deepening democracy at the local level. He said local government institutions would be strengthened to mobilize and generate revenue to improve the welfare of Ghanaians. The minister said this when the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum called on him in Accra to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said local government officials ought to interact with their people to enable them understand and appreciate the policies of government so as to encourage diverse contributions. Mr Chireh said government would implement reforms to accelerate the work of the local institutions to deepen the decentralization process and accountability. He called on the US government to support Ghana in her efforts to improve the decentralization process. Mr Teitelbaum commended the Ghana government for the reforms in the decentralization process and pledged the US support to further improve the system. 18 March 09