A two- National Conference of Presiding Members (PMs) has been held in Accra, with a call on the government to empower local government institutions and actors to drive national development agenda across the country.
The National Dean of PMs, Mr Andrews Kwaku Jacintho, who made the call, stressed the need for adequate resources, extended tenure for PMs, and reforms that enhance accountability and continuity at the grassroots level.
The Conference held on Friday, was on the theme: ‘Empowering Local Government Actors and Institutions for National Renewal Under a New Dawn.’
Organised in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies, it brought together PMs from all 16 regions, representatives of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the District Assemblies Common Fund Secretariat, and other key stakeholders.
Mr Jacintho commended President John Mahama for fulfilling the government’s commitment to pay allowances for assembly members, as well as prioritising capacity building for local leaders.
He also lauded the decision to allow the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), describing it as a bold step towards competence, accountability, and citizen participation at the local level.
However, he raised concerns about inadequate offices and logistics for presiding members across the 261 assemblies, stressing that such limitations hinder their effectiveness.
Mr Jacintho further called for reforms, including an extension of PMs’ tenure from two to four years to ensure continuity, institutionalisation of by-elections within the PM space, and the introduction of uniform allowances akin to other Article 71 office holders.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bernard Ahiafo, assured that the government had put in place a comprehensive framework to address the concerns of MMDCEs and equip them for grassroots governance.
The Council of State Member for Greater Accra, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey, affirmed that the payment of assembly members’ allowances through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would strengthen local accountability and monitoring of government projects in communities.
The President of NALAG, Mr Alfred Asiedu Adjei, who commended the government for the Assembly Members’ ‘Alawa’, called for constitutional backing of it.
He urged government to end proper and equal end of service benefits to all members irrespective of their region.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
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