6TH EU MICRO PROJECTS IN VR LAUNCHED (Page 36)

Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho

THE Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mawutor Goh, has advised major stakeholders in the implementation of projects in the country to act swiftly in the processes to avoid huge price distortions in the event of fluctuating oil prices on the international market.
He said the recent instability of world oil prices was a worry to district and municipal assemblies because the high prices had distorted the budget for projects, and this had apparently caused delays to projects to the dissatisfaction of development partners.
Mr Goh was speaking at a day's workshop at Ho to launch the second phase of implementation of information and education campaign, which coincided with the launch of income generating projects for the sixth European Union Micro projects in the Volta Region.
He welcomed the introduction of the income-generating component of the micro projects.
According to Mr Goh, the programme in its entirety was meaningful to the nation, because it was in fulfilment of the constitutional mandate for district and municipal assemblies to champion development in their areas.
The Regional Economic Planning Officer, Mr Reuben Amegasitsi, on behalf of the Regional Minister, made it known that the region benefited from a total of 373 projects valued at GH¢2,612,594 during the fifth micro project programme.
He said additional 123 projects would be completed at a total cost of GH¢1,880,739 by the end of the first phase of the sixth micro project programme in March, this year.
Mr Amegasitsi said the micro project had contributed to the enhancement of the capacity in project identification and selection; management and implementation; community mobilisation; and participation of women and democratic decision-making, which had strengthened the decentralisation process of the country.
He said the introduction of the income-generating component was a good omen in view of the government’s efforts at enhancing social protection for its citizens.
Mr Amegasitsi, however, expressed misgivings about the indifferent attitude of some communities towards the provision of communal labour, which had caused delays in the completion of some projects.
He was not happy about the inability of some communities to provide the necessary 25 per cent contribution in the form of sand, stones and water and the refusal of some district assemblies to support such communities.
Mr Amegasitsi expressed concern over the ineligible expenses by district assemblies and non-compliance with audit directives, adding that it was pertinent to overcome such weaknesses to push the micro project programme to a higher pedestal.
Launching the programme, the National Programme Manager of the EU/Government of Ghana Micro Projects Management Unit, Mr Kwabena Dankyi Darfoor, said the second phase of the sixth programme would be implemented in 93 districts in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern,
Volta, Eastern and Central regions for the next 18 months starting from April 1, this year.
He disclosed that the Volta zone would benefit from a budget allocation of GH¢1,356,413 for infrastructure projects in addition to GH¢381,600, adding that each beneficiary district would receive GH¢212 for income-generating projects.