Candidate of Tema Municipal Assembly, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, who is in the contest for the presidency of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has been hit by claims that he is not easily accessible and also difficult to deal with, Today has gathered.
According to some delegates, who spoke to Today, Mr. Ashai Odamtten, who apparently happens to be the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the assembly, appears to have busy schedules often, a situation which makes it difficult for even people or visitors to meet him in his office.
“For someone like Tema Mayor, who presides over densely populated city like Tema, it would be difficult for him to have time to effectively manage the NALAG position as president,” some delegates from the Ashanti region noted.
But, responding to the allegations in an interview with Today via telephone yesterday, the Tema MCE denied all the allegations, stressing that, it is a calculated attempt by the delegates to tarnish his hard won reputation.
According to him, “I am a mayor of Tema so how come the delegates say I cannot deliver when I’m elected the president of NALAG?”
Meanwhile Today’s investigations show that the delegates instead are longing for the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akatsi North Assembly in the Volta region, Mr. James Gunu, who is one of the contestants for the presidential slot of NALAG.
According to the delegates, Mr. Gunu has won “our trust because of his demeanour, selflessness and dedication to Ghanaians.”
“Over the past weeks, we have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the perspective and agenda of the various candidates in the upcoming NALAG elections which is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 2016. His honesty and humble nature to examine issues and listen to the concerns of people makes him different from the other aspiring candidates.
“…we are speaking today to express our support for his campaign and as well vote for him in the upcoming election,” the delegates added.
Outlining his visions when given the nod, Mr. Gunu indicated that “our decentralisation and local governance system can thrive better on positive local content initiatives and innovations by the MMDAs.”
He assured that his administration will witness an introduction of a suggestion box concept in the local governance system, creation of register and album and data on all persons with disabilities in the district, introduction of district level public account forum and assessment of district sub-structures.
Additionally, Mr. Gunu mentioned that he would see to the establishment of local economic development fund, formation of girl-child education club to enhance girls’ education in the district, annual stakeholder projects inspection tour and as well as introduction of district owned school feeding programme.
He indicated that his tenure as NALAG president will also see the production and distribution of complimentary cards for all assembly members and paramount chiefs in the district and introduction of cashless transaction.
These, according to him, would make it possible for a bank to be housed in any of the country’s assembly complexes which would help people to pay their rates directly into the assembly's designated accounts and subsequently submit the pay in slips to the accounts section for further action.
