Local Government Minister Alima Mahama has disclosed that her ministry has completed the integration of the District Development Facility with the District Assembly Common Fund Responsive Factor Grant.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, she 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”. 

According to the Minister, her outfit 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 ¢503,627,551.12 has been mobilized 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 ¢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 the 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 six Metropolitan and five Municipal Assemblies. The Automated Permit Processing System (PPS) was also developed and rolled out fully in 2 out of the 11 MMDAs”. 

Alima Mahama added that the PPS which was virtually launched on May 19, 2020, with a citizen’s portal for convenient permit application submission by developers is being deployed in Tema West, Adenta, Ablekuma West, Krowor and AyawasoWest Municipal Assemblies.