He noted that the country over the years has been scoring high marks in systems control, but low in accountability, transparency and participation, attributing it to the country’s failure to pass the right to information bill, and citizens inability to participate the governance process.

He therefore called on Metropolitan/Municipal and District Chiefs Executives (MMDAs), Presiding Members and Assembly Members to collaborate and involve citizens to participate in the development of their communities.

Mr. Edem Senanu, gave the advise at a day’s training workshop for selected MMDAs, Presiding members and Assembly members in the Brong Ahafo Region, organised by the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG).

He appealed to government to use the country’s Popular Participation Policy Framework to enhance knowledge and the potentials of citizens through their active involvement in the developmental process.

“The policy is to help Ghanaians know what the constitution says about participation and how to work with citizens. You cannot go to the Assembly and speak for people who you do not meet with. You have to regularly engage them and they see you as one who solves their problems. If they see that, they will also be encouraged to pay their taxes and levies because they are benefiting from what you do”, he advised.

On efficient investment opportunities, Mr. Senanu tasked MMDAs to be guided by their Popular Participation Policy Strategy and strictly adhere to all the mandatory actions that citizens can participate in fee fixing resolutions, budget reviews, town hall meetings among others, as stipulated in Article 35, 6 (d) of the constitution.

“If you do not allow citizens to participate and anything goes wrong, a citizen can take you to court and win because we were not represented when the budget was approved and money spent on unproductive projects”, he cautioned.

Mr. Senanu said constant citizen’s engagement will build trust and confidence within the governance system that will lead to increased participation in decision-making for sustainable development.

Participants were taken through governance systems, constitutionality of participation, mandatory actions, institutional strategy and action plan matrix.

Participants in a Citi News interview commended the organizers and said the training will improve their work and enhance development in the local communities.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This is to make it possible for the assembly members to effectively discharge their duties.

NALAG’s President, Felix Mensah Nii Anang La, made this known at the Northern Regional delegates’ conference held in Tamale.

“It is inevitable that assembly members deserve the motorbikes and must be given the motorbikes irrespective of the delay and the setbacks. Let me apologize to you and let you know that the motorbikes are coming and very soon contrary to speculation that the distribution will be a mirage.”

Mr. Anang La, who doubles as the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, encouraged the Association’s members to deepen social auditing and accountability in their electoral areas by holding duty bearers accountable for their stewardship.

The NALAG is the umbrella body of all 216 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/ Ghana

The post NALAG promises motorbikes for Assembly Members nationwide appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The new appointments are to make up for the void created at the NEC following the revocation of the appointments of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs),  and Assembly Members (AMs) by the new government.

The revocation subsequently affected their membership on the council hence the need for new members to serve the unexpired term of their predecessors pending a national congress in 2018.

Hon. Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, MCE for Tema was appointed President of the Association, with Hon. William Aduum, MCE, Kassena Nankana as 1^st Vice President. Hon. Evelyn Dansoa Boateng, Assembly Member for New Juabeng Municipal was appointed the 2^nd Vice President and Hon. Asenih, Evelyn Teiko, Assembly Member for Yilo Krobo Municipal as Women’s Caucus Representative.

Others are Hon. Gladys Mann-Dedey, MCE, LaDMA; Treasurer, Hon. Daniel Alexander Nii Noi Adumuah, MCE, Adentan Municipal; Greater Accra Regional Representative and Hon. Ayinbisa Ayamga Peter, DCE, Bongo District as Upper East Regional Representative

The rest are Elijah Adansi-Bonah, MCE, Obuasi Municipal representing the Ashanti Region, Hon. Martin Obeng Adjei, and Assembly Member for Berekum Municipal representing Brong Ahafo Regional.

Speaking at the two-day event in the NALAG House, Okponglo, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, Dean of Students at the Institute of Local Government Studies, challenged the newly constituted executives to do all within their mandate to reposition NALAG in championing development through the local governance system.

In his remarks, the newly sworn in President said “a huge responsibility has been placed on our shoulders to move the Association from its current state to a better position.”

As part of his vision, he posited that training and capacity building for both members and staff will be an important element in developing skills and improving better working conditions within the Assemblies and the Secretariat.

The newly constituted executives are expected to appoint a new General Secretary who will steer the affairs of the Secretariat.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NALAG swears in new executive members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.