The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) continues to grapple with financial difficulties and systemic inefficiencies due to delayed government payments and deep-rooted political influence, according to Mr. Stephen Ofori, a former presiding member of the assembly.
Speaking on Orange Sunrise, Mr. Ofori highlighted the challenges surrounding the Common Fund, a major source of funding for assembly projects. He revealed that delays in disbursements significantly impact contractors, who often wait months or even years for payment. “When given contracts, government is supposed to pay the assemblies from Common Fund periodically. But sometimes it could be at the third quarter of the year and the first, Common Fund has not even hit their account.”
“Because per the contractual agreement, maybe three months or so, you should be paid, [but] then it will get to the end of the year and nothing has been paid to them. So it’s one of those issues. And the major one is the one I raised when I was the presiding member in connection with the contract that has been done some years back.” he said.
He noted that some contractors, owed for over a decade, have won court cases against KMA, leading to the seizure of the assembly’s accounts and assets. Among the confiscated items is a specialized vehicle used for streetlight maintenance.
“If you recall, I raised the issue of some debts, outstanding debts. And as we speak, we still owe those contractors. You can imagine the years, some up to 10 years or 15, 12. They’ve gone to court, they’ve won the case, and we have to pay them. So as a result, court has garnered our accounts. So whatever amount that [comes in] that account, automatically goes to pay some of the contractors.” he lamented.
Political Influence Stifling Progress
Beyond financial challenges, Mr. Ofori stressed that political interference in local governance is the fundamental problem hindering KMA’s ability to function effectively. He argued that political appointees prioritize party interests over development initiatives, leading to inconsistencies in policy enforcement.
He said the cycle of decongesting and re-congesting the metropolitan is a clear example. Every chief executive who attempts to enforce order faces pressure from political powers.
He stated that, “My worry is that, whoever becomes the new KMA chief executive. they cannot really solve the real problems of the KMA because of their political interest. They themselves know, not that they don’t have the capabilities or they are not up to the task. They are, but their system, the system wouldn’t permit.”
A Call for Systemic Reform
According to Mr. Ofori, the solution lies in electing their leaders through a non-partisan process. He believes that allowing the electorate to choose leaders based on merit rather than political affiliation will ensure accountability and effective governance.
“It’s like we are joking. I’ve raised this issue time and again, that let’s elect our chief executives on non-political basis. And that is the only way out. Until that happens, my brother, nothing will change. It’s not about the individual, it’s about the system.”
He criticized the electoral processes within political parties, describing them as breeding grounds for corruption.
No Hope for Change?
Mr. Ofori expressed skepticism about any significant improvements in KMA’s operations under new leadership. He named potential candidates for the Chief Executive position, but insisted that no matter who is appointed, political pressures will prevent them from making substantial changes.
“Our political influence is taking the center stage of every activity that we do as a country. So, if one day we have a president who can boldly come out to say, no, let’s go this way, let’s do this, let’s do that, let’s take away politics from our local government, trust [me] my brother, we [will] have sanity in our system and everything will be moving [at the] very speed of light. That’s the only way we can go.” he said.
“Every politician in its manifesto, [says] we are going to fight corruption. The basis of your party is so corrupt and you are telling me you are going to fight corruption?
Are you not joking? Somebody takes 150 million just to elect a parliamentary candidate. What kind of joke is that? My brother, we are not serious as a country. We are not.”
“I wish whoever is coming well but if the person can be so bold to overcome that political fear, but that one too is not easy. It’s not easy.”
The discussion sheds light on the challenges facing local governance in Ghana, particularly in Kumasi. With increasing public demand for accountability, the question remains whether systemic changes will ever be implemented to ensure efficient governance at the local level.
