Below is the full statement from the German Embassy
On Thursday, August 14th 2014 the Minister of Local government, Hon. Julius Debrah Deputy Minister of Finance Hon. Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the key development partners in decentralisation, namely Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, and Switzerland (SECO) signed a Letter of Intent that sets the next five years of support to the District Development Facility (DDF) until 2018.
The signing of this Letter of Intent renews an established partnership between development partners and the Government of Ghana.
It will also ensure that DDF remains focused on the Government’s priority to deepen the decentralization process and to improve the performance of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the discharge of their mandates.
Since 2008, the DDF has invested almost GHc 350 million to support all MMDAs for infrastructure investments aimed at improving basic services. This Facility stands out as one of the main sources of predictable and transparent financing for local governments in Ghana; more than 3,570 basic infrastructure projects, including schools, health centres, market stalls, and bore holes have been completed across the country through DDF financing.
At today’s signing ceremony more than US$ 230.2 million has been committed to support DDF investments until 2018. This includes an annual Government of Ghana contribution of US$20 million until 2018. A total US$ 60.7 million was committed for 2014 budget releases, based on the 2012 performance year.
This remarkable financial and political commitment shows that the DDF remains a top priority for Government and Development Partners.
The shared commitment to advancing decentralised service delivery objectives for the benefit of all Ghanaians is now matched by an equally shared commitment to build on DDF successes for the coming years.
This will help the Government of Ghana maintain a predictable and transparent public financial transfer mechanism, considered a key enabler to help advance Ghana’s ambitious decentralisation process.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana