Minister criticized over proposed draft of code of conduct

Local government minister, Akwasi Opong-Fosu, has been criticized for engaging the Attorney General to draft a code of conduct for members of local assemblies across the country.

The sector minister announced the initiative following an incident in which an assembly member allegedly verbally assaulted the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Bonsu.

However, former president of the National Association of Local Authorities (NALAG), George Kyei Baffuor, tells Joy News the plan to impose a code of conduct on elected officials of local assemblies will be illegal.

He said the assemblies are self regulatory and have standing others that check the activities of members, therefore, an external body cannot dictate to them.

The former NALAG boss stated that the minister’s proposed draft code of conduct is a kneejerk reaction to the matter.

George Kyei Baffuor said the local government minister [Akwasi Opong-Fosu] by his actions has exposed his lack of understanding about how the decentralization process in the country works.

The code of conduct when finalized will specify sanctions for firing assembly members who misconduct themselves in carrying out their official functions.