Assembly members, core to successful local government practice

Daboase (W/R), June 14, GNA - Mr Christian Joly, a representative of the French Embassy, on Monday observed that assembly members were core players in the local governance process particularly the country's growing democracy.

"Your role is a very crucial one and=85 you are expected to explain government policies for a better understanding to the ordinary Ghanaian in a participatory democracy that your country has adopted," he added.

Mr Joly made the observation during the launch of a three-day orientation workshop for assembly members in all the 17 districts of the Western Region.

It was organised by the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) with funding from the French Embassy.

Mr Joly said the workshop would equip the assembly members with the essential tools to work effectively in their various electoral areas. Dr Esther Offei Aboagye, Director of ILGS said the objective of the training was to expose the participants to the changing environment of local governance, challenges, opportunities and their expected roles.

The training programme would also equip them with the requisite knowledge, skills and appropriate attitudes to bring about the desired change in the country's socio-political agenda.

Dr Aboagye said the participants would be encouraged to review peculiar circumstances of their districts in particular and the Region as a whole and consider strategies to move their localities forward.

It would also serve as a platform for the participants to network and share experiences relevant for personal and collective development.

She noted that the pressure on assembly members in the country's democratic dispensation was enormous adding, 93Assembly members must be properly equipped in performing their feedback and representative functions effectively and pursue the principles of democratic governance".

The assembly members would be exposed to topics such as local government, governance and the assembly system, roles and functions of assembly members and other actors in local governance and resource mobilisation.

Other subject areas are; enhancing participation and accountability in the management of assemblies, conflict management, district assembly projects and contract management, gender mainstreaming in local governance and contemporary issues in local governance in the Region in particular.

Ms Emelia Arthur, Deputy Regional Minister urged the assembly members to be courteous and co-operate with all interest groups within their electoral areas to ensure development.

She called on them to sensitise the electorate on the need to pay taxes to expand the revenue base of the district assemblies as the District Assemblies' Common Fund could not be used for recurrent expenditure.

Mr Anthony Bassaw, Mpohor Wassa East District Chief Executive reminded the assembly members on the need to take the training seriously in order for them to give off their best at the local level.

He expressed appreciation to the French government in helping to move the country's local government system forward.