'There's a disconnect between Assemblies & Regional Coordinating Councils' - Former PM

A former Presiding Member of Ellembelle District Assembly in Western Region, Shaibu Chi-Saaka, has questioned the effectiveness of the role of Regional Coordinating Councils in the country emphasizing the lack of cooperation.

The functions of Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC's) as contained in Ghana's Local Government Act 936 of 2016, and National Development Planning (System) Act 480 as well as Legislative Instrument (LI) 1961 includes coordination, harmonization, and provision of technical support to District Planning Coordinating Units in the execution of their policies and programmes.

But, the former PM believes, there is lack of cooperation between state officials as well as the lack of coordination of activities by local government structures at the local level.

These abnormalities, he said have resulted in RCCs under performing and, invariably, affected local governance in the country.

"Do you believe our Assemblies and Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC's) are working together?" he asked rhetorically while addressing the media.

Asked whether their (RCC's and Assemblies) lack of cooperation and coordination of activities was as a result of not adhering to the local government laws as stated in the constitution, he answered in the negative, “partially no".

Explaining his argument, the former Presiding Member disclosed that evaluation on performances were mostly undertaken by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's).

Aside that, he said there is "no or lack of support to other decentralised heads" to function properly in the discharge of their duties or mandate to help achieve objectives of local governance.

Shaibu Chi-Saaka further observed that “feedback on success stories, challenges are not discussed at general Assembly meetings".

The local politician suggested that, "there must be performance discussions by RCC's for all Assemblies, and during that conference hardworking ones (Assemblies) must be rewarded by the RCC's".

He stressed that this will help in executing developmental projects properly and effectively.