President John Dramani Mahama has called on traditional rulers to work more closely with District Chief Executives (DCEs) to ensure that public funds allocated to the districts are effectively used to improve local development.
He said chiefs had an important role to play in monitoring development projects and ensuring that resources transferred to the districts translated into tangible benefits for communities.
President Mahama made the call when a delegation of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, led by its President, Nana Barima Twereku Ampem III, paid a courtesy call on him at the Presidency in Accra.
The delegation was at the Presidency to congratulate the President on his victory in the 2024 general election and commend his administration for development initiatives in the Ahafo Region.
President Mahama said the government had directed that 80 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund should go directly to the districts, a move he said had improved the financing of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
“I am pleased to report that this has improved the financing of all District Assemblies,” he said.
According to him, the Finance Minister was now releasing the funds promptly every quarter, creating an opportunity for local authorities to implement development programmes more effectively.
He urged chiefs to work with DCEs to ensure that the resources were properly utilised for projects that addressed the needs of local communities.
24-hour markets
The President also announced that the government was constructing one 24-hour market in each of Ghana’s 261 districts.
He said the initiative was intended to stimulate economic activity, create opportunities for traders and provide farmers with reliable outlets for their produce.
“Markets stimulate economic activity and provide outlets for farmers to sell their produce and improve their income,” he said.
President Mahama said after the completion of the district-level markets, the government would consider extending the initiative to larger communities with economically viable traditional markets.
Mining communities
The President also acknowledged concerns raised by the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs regarding Newmont’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in the region.
He said mining companies had a responsibility to ensure that communities hosting extractive activities benefited from the natural resources in their areas.
“Communities must benefit from the resources extracted from their lands despite the environmental impact of mining,” he said.
President Mahama said the government would encourage Newmont to sustain and expand its development initiatives in the region.
He cited the company’s contribution to road construction and the completion of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs building as examples of its support for the region.
“I believe there is much more Newmont can do for the benefit of the mining communities,” he added.
Accra-Kumasi Expressway
President Mahama also said work on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway was progressing, stressing that the project was of national importance beyond its impact on the two cities.
“The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is not only for Accra and Kumasi; it is a national road that links the southern part of Ghana to the northern part,” he said.
He said the military had successfully undertaken the initial clearing of the right-of-way before handing the project back to the government.
The President disclosed that procurement had commenced to select the main contractor for construction of the expressway.
He said the military would serve as a major subcontractor to the main contractor during the implementation of the project.
President Mahama expressed confidence that the project would be completed within about three years, allowing Ghanaians to reconvene for its commissioning.
For his part, Nana Barima Twereku Ampem III commended President Mahama for the development initiatives being undertaken in the Ahafo Region.
He also expressed appreciation for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, saying its completion would facilitate the movement of people, goods and services between Ahafo and Accra.
