Assembly members urged to mobilise their people for development

Assembly Members (AMs) have been urged to mobilize their constituents in their bid to address the developmental needs of the local communities.

Mr Edem Senanu, a local governance expert, said AMs could work more effectively and efficiently if they interact regularly with citizens.

He was speaking at a sensitization workshop on the National Popular Participation Policy Framework for selected AMs in Sunyani.

It was organised by the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and attended by elected AMs, government appointees, District Chief Executives and Presiding Members in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The National Popular Participation Policy is a process of providing opportunities for individuals and groups at the national and sub-national levels to be actively involved in shaping decisions that directly affect their well-being.

Mr Senanu, who is the lead Consultant of the Policy, said citizens are losing confidence in AMs because of lack of information flow.

He said if citizens understood the governance systems, they would be in a better position to actively engage themselves in decision-making at all levels. Mr Senanu said citizens' participation in decision-making process is a right and an obligation which is extremely critical to guarantee a thriving democracy and facilitate accelerated national development.

He said it is always necessary for District Assemblies to approach citizens in identifying and addressing their basic infrastructural deficit and needs. Mr Senanu said District Assemblies could easily improve on their internally generated fund if they take the responsibility to unearth and harness the economic potentials of the local people.

This would create a source of economic livelihood for the local people to enable the Assemblies to generate the required resources needed for development.

Mr Senanu appealed to the AMs to work hand in hand with constituents and educate them on governance system to inspire them to participate in decision-making process.