Contracts for Basic School projects including the provision of teachers’ quarters and furniture will now be awarded by District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies instead of the funding agencies and organizations. Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) would give out contracts for second cycle schools while Councils of the various Universities and Polytechnics would award contracts for their institutions. Mr. Ato Essuman, Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, made the new policy known at a meeting of the Central Region Association of Presiding Members at Apam. Mr. Essuman who is also a Member of Council of State explained that the policy formed part of the decentralization exercise. He explained that under the exercise District Directorates of the Ghana Education Service would become Education Department of the Assemblies. Mr. Essuman advised the Presiding Members to co-operate with District Chief Executives to build the capacity of Assemblies in the discharge of their additional responsibilities. Assembly Members whether elected or appointed must be knowledgeable to meet the challenges of the decentralized system the government hopes to achieve. He appealed to Assembly Members to ensure that projects in their Districts were done to specification. Ms Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive (DCE), called for the strengthening of the lower structures of the Assembly to enable them to play their supporting roles effectively. The DCE also called for cordial relationship between Presiding Members, DCEs and Members of Parliament to enhance smooth administration of the Assemblies. She appealed to the Presiding Members to support DCEs in the execution of their duties. Mr. Kwesi Esseku, Central Regional Representative to the National Association of Local Government (NALAG), commended Mr. Essuman for his support for the Association. Source: GNA