Funds Can’t Be Accessed Due To Failure To Present DMTPs – Director For Development Coordination
According to the Director for Development Coordination at the National Development Commission, Jonathan Azasoo, all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) who fail to submit their Medium-Term Development Plans (DMTPS) will not get the approval for funds to support developmental works in their respective jurisdictions.
Information from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) sighted by Spice FM and signed for the Director General by Director, Development Coordination Division, Jonathan Azasoo indicates that 51 DMTDPs out of the 261 MMDAs have met the minimum standard for a working plan.
Out of the 14 MMDAs in the Western Region only the Sekondi – Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Wassa Amenfi West have had their DMTDPs approved whilst the rest are yet to submit their first and second draft of District Medium-Term Development Plans.
Ahanta West Municipal Assembly , Amenfi Central District Assembly, Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly, Ellembelle District Assembly, Mpohor District Assembly, Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Assembly, Shama District Assembly, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, Wassa Amenfi East Municipal Assembly and Bia West District Assembly have submitted their second draft DMTDPs.
Nzema East Municipal Assembly is the yet to submit their first draft DMTDPs.
However, in an interview with Spice 91.9 FM, he emphasized the need for Assemblies to submit their 2022 – 2025 Development Plan for approval because, without it, Assemblies can’t receive their district common funds.
The District Development Term Plan should be drafted per the government’s policies.
“Assemblies and the other sectors are required to use government policies as a yardstick to draft their District Medium-Term Development Plans. This plan shows government intention concerning development in various assemblies.
The plan contains developmental works to be executed by the MMDAs within the four-year governance of a government.
Assemblies which fail to submit their District Medium-Term Development Plans, can’t access the common fund to undertake any development in various MMDAs,” He noted.
He further said the plan requires the involvement of citizens in the activities of the Assembly according to the Local Governance Act.
“Before drafting the District Medium-Term Development Plans, there’s a guideline to consider. According to the Local Governance Act, 936 section 40 mandates the Assemblies to involve citizens in the activities.
Citizens should have a say or input to the activities. There are guidelines, according to the National Development Commission which shows how to draft the Medium Term Development Plan, the inputs from the citizenry who would benefit from the project,” Jonathan Azasoo said.
