N JUABEN: Workshop on Urban Passenger Transport Unit ends in koforidua

A workshop

A two-day workshop on the integration of the Urban Passenger Transport Unit into the mainstream District Assembly System has ended in Koforidua in the New Juaben Municipality.

It was organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The Sector Minister Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said Ghana has for the past 20 years taken steps to decentralize the system of administration in the country and develop powers and functions to local authority institutions.  

He said as part of the process, the assembly system of Local Government was established to facilitate local level participation, more efficient service delivery, effective local economic development and accountability.

Mr. Ampofo said an effective transportation system has a significant impact on the quality of life and opportunity for citizens and businesses.  

This according to him helps form an important   part of the social safety net facilitating the distribution of wealth through trade and employment opportunities in both urban and rural communities.

Mr. Ampofo said to support the implementation of the National Urban Policy; his Ministry in collaboration with the French Development Agency has initiated Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project in cities, namely Kumasi, Tamale, Sekondi-Takoradi and Ho with a 40 million Euro concessionary loan.  

He said urban transport development is a cross-cutting activity and needs the coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Victor Smith said most projects failed in the county because there was no machinery for an integration planning system.  

He therefore urged that there should be a sufficient link preparation with plan implementation and provides a conducive environment to elicit the support and cooperation of some relevant outfits to enable the system to succeed.

He head of Local Government Service, Mr. Akwasi  Opong-Fosu said as part of the road-map to operationalise L.I. 1961, the LGSS in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development are relevant stakeholders to prepare generic guidelines to support MMDAs in establishing the various decentralized departments of assemblies.

He said optimistic that the workshops would achieve the stated objective by coming out with an action plan towards the establishment of the Transport Departments.

Afua Yeboah/Dominic Shirimori/Ghanadistricts.com