PRIORITISATION OF DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

Introduction

This chapter deals with the harmonized development issues under the GSGDA II linked to the thematic areas of the NMTDF 2018-2021. The chapter is concluded with a thorough analyses of the development potentials, opportunities as well as constraints and challenges identified in the Municipality.

Harmonisation of community needs and aspirations with identified key development gaps/problems/issues (from Review of Performance and Profile)

To ensure harmony in the development process, the identified development problems/issues from the performance review were scored against the community need and aspirations obtained from the various community sensitization and needs assessment organised throughout the municipality to ensure its compatibility as shown in Table 2.1.The criteria for harmonisation is as follows:

 
Key development issues under GSGDAII with implication for 2018-2021

The harmonization exercise indicated that most of the key development issues have implications for the implementation of the 2018-2021 MTDP. There is the need to proffer critical interventions to address such issues in the new plan as indicated in Table 2.2.

IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Introduction

In order to track progress and make adjustments for smooth implementation of the DMTDP, an M&E matrix containing inputs, outputs, outcomes and impacts and their corresponding activities for each DMTDP objective have been outlined in Table 6.1. It summarizes the overall monitoring and evaluation plan by including a list of methods to be used in collecting data as well as the linkage of the DMTDP to the National Development Framework.  

Evaluations Arrangements

The principal purpose of evaluation is to improve decision-making, resource allocation and accountability. Evaluating the implementation of the DMTDP will help to determine strengths and weaknesses of interventions implemented in respect of outcomes, impact and sustainability. The Assembly will follow the following steps in embarking on evaluation activities to assess performance of the DMTDP:

i. Assessing the need for an evaluation (provide the background).

ii. Developing clear ideas on the rationale and objectives of the evaluation.

iii. Determining the type of evaluation to undertake (ex-ante, terminal, ex-post evaluation).

iv. Specifying the methods, scope and timing of the evaluation (external and self-evaluation).

v. Identifying and analysing stakeholders.

vi. Estimating the costs involved which would be factored into the budget of the AAP.

vii. Preparing Terms of Reference (TOR) and contractual agreements based on items (i) to (iv) above.

viii. Recruiting a consultant or a team in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

ix. Organising meetings to discuss the inception and draft reports with stakeholders.

x. Organising a validation meeting with stakeholders before submission of the final report.

xi. Disseminating the results and acting on the findings and recommendations as part of the dissemination and communications strategy

Evaluation Matrix

The Evaluation Matrix is a table of the evaluation work plan. All the components in the matrix are interrelated and help to develop the most appropriate work plan for conducting an evaluation. The matrix in Table 6.5 have been developed along five main criteria to formulate evaluation questions that will seek to assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability of interventions in the DMTDP.

R6.5 Participatory Monitring and Evaluation (PM&E)

Participatory M&E (PM&E) refers to the practice where all key stakeholders are directly involved in the M&E design and implementation process. It is a valuable tool used to capture perceptions and assess whether interventions have met these expectations, especially of the poor and the vulnerable in society. The Assembly will provide update on the implementation of its PM&E activities in all the quarterly and annual progress reports which will be disseminated to all major stakeholders. The PM&E tools will enable the Assembly to among other things:

• Promote judicious use of resources

• Create an information base for future evaluation

• Provide for the definition of more relevant local indicators

• Identify problems and proffer timely solutions

• Maintain good standards

PM&E Tools

The Assembly will employ variety of Social Accountability methods such as Citizens’ Report Cards and Community Score Cards to ascertain the outcome and impact of service provision that emanate out of the DMTDP.  All major stakeholders will also be involved in the monitoring of ongoing physical and non-physical projects including site meetings and handing over/taking over meetings. The following are PM&E tools that will be adopted in the course of implementing the four-year DMTDP:

i. Participatory Rural Appraisal.

ii. Citizen Report Card.

iii. Community Score Card.

iv. Participatory Expenditure Tracking Surveys

v. Citizens’ Perception Survey

Summary of Key Development Issues/Gaps/Challanges

In line with the MTDP Guidelines, data on key development issues as well as gaps identified in the performance review were collated under the five thematic areas of the GSGDA II as below:

Sustainable macro economic stability

• Low revenue mobilisation

• Leakages in revenue collection

• Low motivation of revenue collectors

Enhancing Competitiveness in Ghana’s Private Sector

• Inadequate managerial and technical skills of MSEs

• Limited access to credit facilities

• Limited exploitation of potentials in the tourism sector

• Low level of local economic development promotion

• Low level of agro-processing

Accelerated Agricultural Modernisation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management

• Misuse of agro-chemicals

• High rate of post harvest loses due to poor roads and lack of market

• Inadequate and low motivated extension officers and TOs

• Destruction of farm lands and crops by sand winners

Infrastructure and Human Settlements Development

• Poor road surface condition

• Ineffective development control

• Low access to potable water in rural areas

• Inadequate household toilet facilities

• Inadequate public toilet facilities

• Poor street lighting

• Poor condition of rural housing

• Limited investments in social programmes in Zongos and inner cities

• Poor market infrastructure

Human Development, Productivity and Employment

• High rate of youth unemployment

• Inadequate or poor educational facilities at all levels

• Poor Academic Performance

• Lack of Teacher accommodation at all levels

• Limited and poorly equipped CHPS compounds

• Inadequate support for PWDs

• Inadequate support for women and children issues

Transparent and Accountable Governance

• Inadequate office and residential accommodation for staff

• Inactive sub-district structures

• Inadequate capacity building programmes for Staff of the assembly

• Inadequate office equipment, furniture and stationery .

• Limited number of women in decision making positions at Assembly and Council levels.

• High level of insecurity and increase in crime rate