Local gov’t ministry completes integration of DDF
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, has disclosed that her ministry has completed the integration of the District Development Facility (DDF) with the District Assembly Common Fund Responsive Factor Grant.
Speaking at her turn at the ‘Meet the Press’ series at the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, 26 August 2020, Hajia Alima indicated that a new assessment tool, known as the District Assembly Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT), has replaced the Functional Organisational Assessment Tool (FOAT).
“DPAT assesses Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) compliance on existing Government of Ghana Legal, Regulatory and Policy Frameworks and implementation of annual work plans and budget,” she explained.
According to the minister, her office has completed the assessment of 216 MMDAs across the country using the ‘DPAT’ for FY2016, FY2017 and 254 MMDAs for FY2018.
Also, a total amount of GHS 503,627,551.12 has been mobilised and transferred to the MMDAs for implementation of activities in their MTDPs between 2017 and 2020 under the FOAT/DPAT.
“This year, we have transferred an amount of GHS 185,931,850.00 to successful MMDAs as their Investment Grant allocation for DPAT II (2017) Assessment”, she emphasised.
The minister also took time to brief journalists about the Business-Enabling Environment Project (BEEP), which her ministry has rolled out.
She said BEEP streamlines and simplifies the processes for obtaining business operating and building development permits at the sub-national level.
“The Construction Permit reforms are currently being implemented in 11 MMDAs across the country comprising 6 Metropolitan and 5 Municipal Assemblies.
“The Automated Permit Processing System (PPS) was also developed and rolled out fully in 2 out of the 11 MMDAs”.
Hajia Alima added that the PPS which was virtually launched on 19 May 2020 with a citizen’s portal for convenient permit application submission by developers is being deployed in Tema West, Adenta, Ablekuma West, Krowor and Ayawaso West Municipal Assemblies.