News:
July 15, 2026
Dominic Napare, a member of the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, has noted that the Committee’s recent visits to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have revealed significant improvements in stakeholder relations.
According to Mr. Napare, an earlier public hearing conducted by the Committee had uncovered poor working relationships between Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and their stakeholders—including traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and Members of Parliament. This discovery prompted the Committee to undertake further oversight visits to the Assemblies.
As part of broader capacity-building efforts, Mr. Napare indicated that Committee members who engage with the MMDCEs are now strongly motivated to ensure that the views of youth groups and persons with disabilities are actively factored into local decision-making processes.
In an interview, Mr. Napare acknowledged that while Assemblies receive a substantial portion of their government allocation through the District Assemblies Common Fund and are provided with operational guidelines, they should be allowed flexibility to modify projects to address pressing local needs. “For instance, if an Assembly already has a functional market but urgently needs a school, that should be considered their priority. They must write to the Ministry of Local Government to request the latitude to build a school that will directly benefit the local people,” he emphasized.
The Committee also engaged MMDCEs on the enforcement of building codes and by-laws, particularly in the wake of recent flooding incidents across the country. “It all boils down to our failure to apply the by-laws on building regulations. People must not build on waterways, they must secure building permits before construction, and every building must include a place of convenience,” he stated.
Mr. Napare lamented the recurring trend of individuals constructing houses without toilet facilities and later pressuring the government to provide public toilets for them. He clarified that community toilets are intended for visitors and market-goers, not to compensate for the lack of private household sanitation.
Additionally, the Committee advised MMDCEs on strategies to boost local revenue generation to complement the Common Fund. He stressed that relying solely on central government disbursements leaves Assemblies vulnerable and helpless when there are delays in funding.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com