Michael Harry Yanson
The Administrator of the Common Fund nominee, Michael Harry Yanson, says the reserve fund plays a crucial role in addressing unforeseen crises and supporting local government initiatives.
He outlined the fund’s primary purposes, emphasizing its importance in responding to emergencies, funding capacity building, and facilitating local investments.
Answering questions during his vetting, Mr. Yanson explained that the reserve fund acts as a contingency resource, enabling the government to respond quickly to unexpected events such as natural disasters or health emergencies.
Citing examples like the tidal waves in the Volta Region and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, he highlighted how the Fund has been instrumental in providing critical support to the District Assemblies during such times.
“The reserve Fund serves the purpose of holding funds to support any districts that find themselves in situations requiring resources beyond their capabilities,” Mr. Yanson said.
Additionally, he pointed out that the fund is used for training and capacity building.
According to him, as local governments are entrusted with ever-larger portions of the national budget, it is essential that district offices are equipped to handle these responsibilities.
The reserve fund, Mr. Yanson noted, helps finance such training programmes.
He noted that the reserve fund is also used to support local investments that may be beyond the financial reach of district assemblies.
He said this ensures that essential infrastructure projects and initiatives can be executed, even when local budgets fall short.
Addressing concerns raised about conflicts between Members of Parliament (MPs) and District Chief Executives (DCEs), Mr. Yanson acknowledged that such disputes can occasionally arise, particularly when MPs from opposition parties face difficulties in accessing funds or getting approval for projects.
The nominee committed to resolving these issues by working closely with local government leadership and fostering cooperation between MPs and DCEs.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that funds are disbursed in a timely manner, as the ultimate goal is to ensure that money translates into development.
“We will work to bring all parties together, seek advice from leadership, and resolve conflicts swiftly,” Mr. Yanson said.
He also hinted at the possibility of establishing alternative channels for project approval, especially when DCEs refuse to sign off on projects, ensuring that local development continues unhindered.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House