Lecturer calls for remunerations for Assembly Members

Kumasi, July 18, GNA - Mr. Jones Nsiah Abronye, a lecturer at the Building Technology Department of the Sunyani Polytechnic, on Friday added his voice to the call for assembly members to be given monthly emoluments.

He said looking at the current roles being played by the assembly members in their electoral areas and the district assemblies, such a move would motivate and encourage them to give out their best to strengthen decentralization.

He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that although assembly members are given allowances when they attend meetings, the transportation costs of their numerous follow-ups are not taken care of. He said assembly members are also discouraged to continue such follow-ups which could lead to accelerated development in the districts and the nation as a whole.

The lecturer said lack of such financial assistance hampered their duties to have regular meetings, interact with people in their electoral area and give feedback to and from assembly meetings to enhance the local governance process.

Mr. Abronye said although assembly members were expected to attend all public gatherings, host some public officials who visit their electoral areas, attend funerals where they mostly donate, they are not given any form of support to take care of such expenses.