Government has allocated $175 million for the Local Government Capacity Project, to support and improve the performance of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in public financial management. Under the project, the Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development, Finance and Economic Planning and 46 district assemblies will receive financial and technical support. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, made the announcement at the 2012 Activists’ Awards of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOSAG) in Accra. Twenty six members of CLOSAG received awards including a Hyundai car. Mr. Ofosu Ampofo said the implementation of the project will span a five-year period and seeks to improve citizens’ engagement in government’s decentralization process. He urged CLOSAG members to accept postings to new districts and asked them to assist government identify critical core staff for the new districts. Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, noted development of the nation should be a collective responsibility. He urged the association to help sustain the spirit of nationalism and exhaust all channels of negotiations before they resort to industrial actions. President of CLOSAG, Alhaji Mahammadu Assibi Azonko, asked award winners to cultivate the spirit of patriotism.