James Gunu calls for review of Presiding Members’ tenure, election process

James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has called for a national discussion on the tenure and election process of Presiding Members of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He proposed that the current two-year term should be reviewed and possibly extended to four years.

Speaking during the election of the presiding member of the Ho Municipal Assembly in the Volta Region, Gunu said the existing two-year tenure required a second look and could be amended through constitutional review.

“We need to take another look at the two-year tenure of office for Presiding Members and consider extending it to four years. That will require a constitutional amendment,” he said.

Gunu noted that the election of a presiding member remained one of the most challenging processes within the local governance system because candidates must secure a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the Assembly.

He explained that even when a candidate contested unopposed, failure to obtain the required two-thirds majority meant the person could not be elected to the position.

“Even if someone contests unopposed but fails to obtain the two-thirds majority vote of members present, that person is not qualified to become the Presiding Member,” he said.

Gunu described the arrangement as an important democratic safeguard but noted that it required broader national discussion to determine whether reforms were necessary.

He added that the issue had also attracted the attention of national leaders, indicating that the Speaker of Parliament had expressed similar views on the need to review the current arrangement.

The Regional Minister, therefore, encouraged stakeholders to continue debating the matter to identify the best way to strengthen the local governance system.

Gunu congratulated Mawunyo Agbe on his election as Presiding Member of the Ho Municipal Assembly and commended Assembly Members for the confidence reposed in him.

“We are proud of you. Let us continue to work together to advance development in the municipality,” he said.

Gunu also praised Assembly Members for their commitment to service in their respective electoral areas and acknowledged government efforts to support their work.

He noted that the introduction of monthly stipends for Assembly Members marked a significant step toward recognising their contribution to local governance.

“In the past, the role of an Assembly Member was largely a sacrificial and part-time responsibility. Today, it has become more demanding and closer to a full-time commitment,” he said.

Gunu expressed appreciation to President John Mahama for introducing the stipend for Assembly Members, describing it as an important recognition of their role in grassroots governance.

“It is not only about the amount involved, but the significance of acknowledging the work Assembly Members do across the country,” he added.