Wamfie (B/A), Feb. 4, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, has proposed a national debate on the level of remuneration to be paid Assembly Members to enable them to function effectively. He observed that several years of local governance through the decentralization concept in Ghana had shown low-keyed dedication from some Assembly members, partly because of lack of adequate motivation. Mr Adjei-Darko made the suggestion during a visit to Wamfie, the proposed capital for the newly created Dormaa East district to assess the people's preparedness towards the assembly's take off on February 29 this year.
He held that remuneration for assembly members would enhance their mobility and motivate them to respond swiftly to emergencies and social obligations.
Mr Adjei-Darko assured traditional authorities in the area that the new districts were not created by the government to split any existing traditional bonds but only as a means of making the geographical areas smaller and more manageable in terms of development. He said government would soon outline special projects under which all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies would have 15 kilometres of tarred road, electricity and potable water. Mr Adjei-Darko urged the people to pay their taxes promptly to facilitate a congenial environment for good governance and its benefits. On the government's proposed talk tax, Mr Adjei-Darko explained that the proposal would rather benefit cell phone users by reducing the cost of mobile phones while raising funds to address unemployment among the youth.
Mr. Adjei-Darko asked the Dormaa municipal and the Dormaa-East district assemblies to regularly update the capacity of their administrative staff and their assembly members to enable them to deliver to expectation.
