Forums suggest that allowances should be paid to assembly members

Nsoatre (B/A), May 18, GNA - Participants at separate forums in the Sunyani Municipality have advocated for the need to give allowances and special incentive packages to assembly members to encourage them to work hard.

The participants said the structures of the assembly and unit committees are large and called for the reduction of the number. At separate forums held at Abesim, Chiraa, Nsoatre and Sunyani organised by the Sunyani Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as part of the activities towards the National Constitution Week, the participants said there was the need to strengthen the structures of unit committees to enable them perform their duties effectively.

They expressed concern about the rampant spoilage of foodstuffs due to lack of storage facilities.

At Nsoatre, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said he was unhappy about the way people participate in developmental activities at the local level.

He cited the recent registration of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the area and said response to the exercise was not encouraging.

Mr Baffour-Awuah said chieftaincy disputes are high in the area and pleaded with the chiefs and people to unite and concentrate on the development of the area.

Mr Kinsford Ohene Gyaase, the Sunyani Municipal Director of NCCE, told the people not to politicise the NHIS but to take advantage of it to solve their health care needs.