ACCRA – Thursday March 15, 2019: The Head of the Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur in the company of the Acting Chief Director, Mr. James Oppong Mensah and some Directors of the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) paid a courtesy call on the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Birender Singh Yadav in Accra. The call was to introduce the Service to the High Commission and to discuss issues of mutual interest between the Local Government Service (LGS) and the Commission especially in the area of decentralisation.
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur noted that decentralization in Ghana has achieved measureable feat through the promotion of equitable local development with enhanced citizen participation and strengthening of local government systems. This he said, has deepened and sustained local level governance for which the creation of the District League Table through the support by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) and UNICEF for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) was a clear evidence.
Ambassador Yadav identified similarities between the decentralised governance system of Ghana and that of India and said India had a more decentralised planning and decision-making systems where even passport acquisition was the responsibility of field agencies at the local level. He added that India had developed a sanitation programme which had helped to curb sanitation issues in India. He expressed the Commission’s pleasure to welcome initiatives for exchange programmes to provide learning experiences for both countries.
Mr. Oppong-Mensah expressed appreciation for the opportunity and warm reception accorded the Head of Service and his entourage. He was elated about the warmth and thoughtful deliberation and pledged the Service’ commitment to forge greater collaboration between the two countries. Present were the second secretary at the High Commission of India, Bharti Gupta and some senior staff of OHLGS.