Oyokohene Raps Gov't Appointees

A traditional ruler has observed that most of the government appointees to the district assemblies fail to perform.

According to him, most of them fail to contribute on issues at the floor throughout the four years term at the assemblies.

He prayed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to consider reducing the number to say two appointees to support the elected ones to cut waste.

Nana Konadu Kesse, who is the Oyokohene, made the observation at a one-day forum on legal and institutional framework of the district assembly election held in Koforidua yesterday.

He suggested that using a local language should be considered as medium of expression at all the 110 district assemblies proceedings for all to be able to contribute on issues.

Some participants at the forum held that the elections should not be made partisan for the fear that it will thwart development efforts.

They feared that if the elections are conducted on party lives development project would be initiated at areas, which are so loyal to the party in power leaving others to get deprived.

But other participants expressed different opinion that the election should be made partisan.

Their reason was that, it will force the elected ones work to full satisfaction of their political parties and throw a challenge to others.

A former district chief executive (DCE) Mr. Anthony Gyampoh noted that the present system where the president nominates some one and get approval by the assembly members he is suppose to head is a good one and should be maintained.

Also speaking the Eastern Regional Co-coordinating Director, Mr. Seth A. Many stated that, the district level elections have taught every one very profound cumulative lesson in democracy.

Mr. Manu said one though provoking issue in recent times however has been the growing controversy over the continued legitimacy of the non-partisan nature of the local government system.

The co-ordinator made it clear that whether making the elections partisan or not, it has become clear that the legal and institutional frame work for the district level election need to be revisited to improve democracy in general.

Other speakers were the chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan and Mr. Obeng Busia, Special Assistant to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.