Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has accused the government of rendering the local government system powerless.

The NDC introduced the system with the aim to facilitate local development.

Mr Nketia addressing electorates at Anyinofi in Sekyere Afram Plains Constituency said the present order where the District Assembly Common Fund has been collateralised has denied the system of funding to develop local communities.

"The government has collateralised the District Assembly Common Fund which should be shared among to all districts. The money is now being used to service loans, there is no money for development in the districts. It is now useless,” he said.

Mr Nketia started that the NDC will ensure the districts receive the needed funds for development.

"For those reason, we want you to vote us into power to restore the local government system. We will ensure you get what you deserve from the central government. We will also let you have the common fund in full so the assembly members can decide on how to use it for development,” he added.

The NDC Chairman has commenced the second phase of his 'Retail Campaign' tour of the Ashanti Region.

Sekyere Afram Plains was the first community visited by the campaign team.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the use of the common fund to finance contracts in the districts by the government should be avoided.

The NDC has promised to bridge development gap between rural and urban areas of the country.

Mr Nketia said that the neglect of road projects in the Sekyere Afram Plains was enough reason to vote out the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

"The NPP has no interest in rural development. They want the people from small communities to continue staying in darkness whiles they live good in the city. But we want you to have all the amenities we enjoy in the cities,” he emphasised.

He added that, "You deserve electricity like everyone. In the Sekyere Afram Plains, Drobonso and Anyinofi are the only communities with electricity. NPP has refused to extend electricity supply."

Meanwhile, the NDC has reiterated readiness to pay allowances to Assembly members.