The Acting Municipal Chief Executive and Coordinating Director of the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Amwanchimbey, has addressed concerns about the rising dust pollution in the municipality, despite the presence of the District Road Improvement Program (DRIP) machines. Speaking on Denkyiraman Radio’s National Agenda, Mr. Amwanchimbey attributed the assembly’s inability to tackle the issue to the lack of funds and delays in setting up the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), which regulates the use of government funds for projects.
Mr. Amwanchimbey explained that the Finance Ministry’s delays in setting up the GIFMIS system have made it difficult for the assembly to access funds, in line with the Public Financial Management Act (Act 921), which prohibits spending without passing through the system. However, he noted that in critical situations, the assembly can use internally generated funds, such as property rates and permits, to address urgent issues like the dust problem. He added that the assembly had spent beyond its allocated GHS 500,000 for machine maintenance and operator allowances, with the shortfall being covered by loans from the former Member of Parliament, Dr. Festus Awuah Kwoffie.
The Director also revealed that most DRIP machine operators were brought in from outside the municipality, adding to the financial burden of providing their allowances. To mitigate this, the assembly had approved the hiring out of the equipment to generate additional revenue for maintenance. However, former Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ebenezer Appiah Forson, refuted claims that most operators were from outside the municipality. He clarified that the majority of operators were locals who were trained and licensed in Cape Coast, with only two professionals brought in to operate specialized equipment.
Hon. Forson agreed with the Coordinating Director on the issue of insufficient government funds but stressed that the operators are recognized by the government, despite not receiving appointment letters due to being on probation. He assured that the operators would eventually receive their letters as part of the formal process. Both officials acknowledged the financial challenges affecting the assembly’s operations and reiterated their commitment to resolving the dust pollution issue for the well-being of residents.
