Ashanti Regional Minister, Alexander John Ackon says the introduction of performance management system has helped improved performance of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region.

Local Government and Development Ministry introduced the system last year as part of efforts to strengthen decentralization process and also make chief executives accountable to the people.

Two years on, Mr. Ackon says the reform has helped streamline the work of managers at local assemblies as their competences are developed through regular evaluation and monitoring.

In an interview with Nhyira FM at the sidelines of a performance contract signing ceremony for MMDCEs and Coordinating Directors in Kumasi, he said the system has had positive effect on the work of the assemblies.

He said: “It has had an effect. The impact is good because one; it’s supposed to let you know how you are performing yourself without anybody coming to you. It is supposed to mean that nobody can access you without the facts on the ground and three, it will protect you from any other activity that will not inure to the assembly and finally, it will free you from any other activity that will not add onto your performance criteria”.

This year’s contract takes into consideration the operationalization of district assembly sub-structures at such as sub-metros, zonal, town and area councils as well as unit committees to encourage local participation of decentralization process.

 According to Mr. Ackon, MMDCEs and their Coordinating Directors have a task to ensure these structures function fully by the end of 2016.

“Local Government Services sees the seeming non-performance of the sub-structure as a major setback as it denies the people participation in governance we expect to have at the local level.

It defeats the democratic principle of bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people". Mr. Ackon said.

The Dean of MMDCEs in the Ashanti region, Kaakyire Oppong Kyekyeku the performance management system has helped them to be focused and development-oriented as their works are monitored and evaluated periodically.