As part of efforts to promote a conducive economic environment for the operations of the telecommunication companies and the Telecommunication Mast Operators within the country and also scale up developmental activities of MMDAs,  the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has met with representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications GCT), Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), representatives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and other key stakeholders .

The meeting was to review and negotiate the rate for MMDAs fees and charges on communication masts and other telecommunication infrastructure and services for the year 2024.

In a preceding meeting held last year in July between the stakeholders, a 12.5% rate was agreed upon for  MMDAs to apply in the calculation of charges on communication masts and other telecommunication infrastructure and services.

The move was to address some inconsistencies that were detected in the application of rates of charges on some Telcos' infrastructure and Operating licenses as a result of noncompliance with the approved fee guidelines by some MMDAs.

The meeting which was held on Wednesday,  February  21,  2024, at the Ministry was mainly to agree on a favourable rate for all stakeholders.

Accordingly, at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders unanimously agreed to maintain the last year’s rate of 12.5% for the year 2024 and the sector Minister-designate, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah was hopeful the agreement will be implemented effectively to ensure sanity in the system.

Sections 137, 141, and 150 of the Local Governance Act 2016, (Act 936) mandates the Minister of Local Government,  Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) to issue guidelines on fees and rates to be charged by the MMDAs for services and facilities.

In attendance at the meeting were; the Hon. Minister designate for the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Chief Director of the Ministry, Alhaji Amin Abdul Rahaman and Directors or the Ministry, representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication, MTN, Vodafone, LUSPA, among others.

Source:            Sandra Owusu-Asamoah
(MLGDRD, Public Relations Unit)

The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has held a training workshop on Budget Implementation Instructions and Public Finance Management (PFM) Act (2016), (Act 921) for departmental Heads of the Ministry to train them on how to effectively implement approved budgets at different levels of the Ministry to enable them achieve greater transparency, accountability and control over public financial resources and ultimately ensure the  effective and efficient implement of government policies.

The workshop which was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the Ellking Hotel took the form of presentations by various facilitators and a plenary session and participants were taken through the “2024 Budget Implementation Instructions” which covered Government Expenditure Measures and Arrears Prevention, Compensation of Employees, Goods and Services, Capital Expenditure, Other General Rules, Sanctions and Penalties Under the PFM Act and Flow Charts for Business Processes. Participants were also taken through the Public Finance Management Act (2016), (Act 921).

In attendance at the workshop were representatives from the various departments of the ministry, the Institute of Local Government Service, the office of the Head of Local Government services among others. Some facilitators were Mr. Osei Gyamera, Group Head, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Mr. Felix Dovoh from Ministry of Finance, and Mr. Kobby Biritwum, also from the Ministry of Finance.

Representing the President of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah, a minister of state at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) presided over the inauguration of the Atiwa East and Atiwa West District Assemblies. The ceremony, symbolized a significant stride towards decentralized governance in Ghana.

Addressing the Assembly members and the gathering, Hon. O. B. Amoah emphasized the critical role these assemblies play in fostering community-driven development and empowering local voices.

The minister of state reiterated the President’s commitment to grassroots governance, highlighting the importance of citizen participation in shaping policies and programs at the district level. He urged newly sworn-in Assembly Members to embrace their responsibilities with dedication and integrity, emphasizing the need to prioritize the needs of their constituents above all else.

The inauguration ceremony served as a platform for reflection on Ghana's democratic journey and a reaffirmation of its commitment to inclusive governance.

The inauguration of the Atiwa East and West District Assemblies marked not only the beginning of a new chapter in local governance but also a testament to Ghana's enduring commitment to democracy, development, and the empowerment of its people.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann

            (MLGDRD Public Relations Unit)