Mr Gordon Kwaku Asubonteng, Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, has commended Star-Ghana for the support in deepening local governance system in the country.

He entreated other Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations to emulate and thread such a path so that local governance would be brought onto the door steps of the local people.

Mr Asubonteng made the commendation at a mid-year review meeting to assess the outcome of a 14-month Star-Ghana project, being implemented by Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), an NGO, in collaboration with Gift FM, a Dormaa-Ahenkro-based radio station in the municipality.

The50,000-dollar project, dubbed local FM and civil society organizations promoting revenue management and its utilization for development, is being implemented in 15 communities within the municipality.

It is expected to enhance transparency and responsiveness in the management and utilization of the assemblys Internal Generated and Common Funds for development.

Mr Asubonteng observed that since the project started last year, the assembly’s IGF had improved by 50 percent because the project had enlightened the local people who have understood the need to pay tax.

He noted with concern that many of the local people were not well informed about the District Assembly Concept and other national policies, and appealed to the media to help educate them.

Mr. Asubonteng emphasized that the role of development partners in accelerated national development was very essential, and urged NGOs to continue to execute such responsibilities in a more responsive manner.

Mr. Victor Fosu Boama, Operations Director of GLOMEF and project coordinator,advised the Municipal Assembly to ensure that dormant unit committees are revived as the committees played critical role in local governance.

He asked the assembly members to hold regular interactions with their constituents, help tabulate their peculiar and immediate needs so that such needs could be put before the assembly.

Mr Peter Nketiah, Budget Analyst at the Municipal Assembly, explained that the project had helped to strengthen the relationship between the assembly and the local people.

He said from all indications, the assembly could increase all sources of its revenue by 30 percent by the close of 2014.

Mr Nketiah noted that many of the needs of the local communities are not addressed because such needs are not captured in the assemblys development plan, and appealed to the assembly members to take that responsibility in ensuring that the development needs of the localities are brought at assembly meetings for discussions and approval.

GNA