11th March, 2013 

The Daily Graphic shares in the concern raised by the President urging the District Assemblies not to misapply the common fund. It says the common fund is meant for development in the Districts and not for administrative costs such as vehicle maintenance and even salaries as is being done in some districts. Its says the use of the fund for other purposes other than what it is intended for has the tendency to stall development in areas administered by the Assembly. The Graphic calls on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to wean themselves of the use of the Common Fund for recurrent expenditure and look for innovative ways of generating funds internally. It says it is only by doing this that the assemblies will give true meaning to the decentralisation programme and justify any demand for an increase in the funds allocated to them. 

The Ghanaian Times welcomes the Ashanti Regional Ministers intention to join in police patrols call to fight against armed robbery and illegal mining activities in the region. To the paper the announcement to clamp down on such activities has come at a time the region has become the hotbed for armed robbers, while the many communities are being ravaged by illegal miners prospecting for gold. The Times says the fight must be sustained and must not stop. The paper also calls for greater collaboration between the public and the security services in the fight against armed robbery and illegal mining. 

GBC