Minister withdraws Legislative Instrument

Page 15, Feb 25, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, on Friday withdrew Legislative Instrument (LI) 1833, which was laid before Parliament for the establishment of the Gomoa East District Assembly.
The withdrawal of the instrument had become necessary, due to differences among the chiefs and people over the siting of the district capital.
A section of the chiefs and people in the newly created district kicked against the siting of the capital at Afransi and suggested that it should rather be cited at Potsin.
However, the LIs laid for the creation of 31 other districts and municipalities would come into effect after Friday, February 22, having travelled its full 21 days as required by law.
Other LIs laid for the raising of the status of a number of districts into municipalities would also come into effect after the 21 days period.
A report of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Local Government (District and Municipal Assemblies) Instruments, 2007 said Mr P.C. Appiah-Ofori filed a petition for the re-siting of the capital of the Gomoa East at Afransi instead of Potsin.
However, Nkrabea and Associates, a law firm, petitioned on behalf of the people of the newly created district for the siting of the capital at Potsin instead of Afransi.
In his contribution to the debate on the committee’s report, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum, Capt. (retd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, congratulated the government for taking the bold decision to create more districts and municipalities.
He said the situation would bring about governance on the door steps of the people and reduce the cost of doing business.
The MP expressed concern about the agitation by a number of communities and chiefs over the siting of district capitals, and explained that district capitals were places meant for the co-ordination of governmental authority.
With the coming into effect of the 31 new districts and municipalities and the raising of the status of other districts to municipalities, the assemblies had now been increased from 138 to 169.