Assembly member calls for incentives for members

Mafi-Srekpe, Jan 31, GNA - The district assembly concept, designed to strengthen local government in Ghana, may fail if personnel, including assembly members, are not adequately motivated, Mr Vincent Azumah, Assemblyman for Mafi-Sasekpe Electoral Area said at the weekend. He said voluntarism alone, without monetary and material incentives, was rendering assembly members ineffective.

Mr Azumah was addressing the Annual Development Rally of the chiefs and people of Mafi-Srekpe in the North-Tongu District.

"You cannot expect the assembly member to link up the poor people in the villages, communities and government when the poor assembly member is not resourced in anyway to do that," he said.

Mr Azumah suggested that assembly members in outlying areas should be considered for the supply of motorbikes.

He also called for education of assembly members on important issues of state to enable them explain government policies to their people. Mr Nicholas Ahiadorme, the acting North-Tongu District Chief Executive, said the hostility towards the New Patriotic Party and its sympathisers in the area was uncalled for.

He said distrust and suspicion that characterised the election period should not be extended to deliberations on tackling developmental problems.

The development rally earmarked extension of electricity, building of schools and provision of water as projects to be tackled this year.