Akosua Frema Osei-Opare
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday inaugurated 259 district assemblies with a call for stronger local governance and decentralisation.
The President emphasised the importance of local governance and decentralisation in deepening democracy and promoting citizen participation in decision-making processes.
During his speech at the inaugural meeting of Suhum and Ayensuano District Assemblies in the Eastern Region on Monday, February 12, 2024, which was read on his behalf by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the President congratulated all the elected assembly and unit committee members for their success in the December elections.
He also highlighted the appointment of 30 per cent of assembly members, in accordance with the constitution, to ensure a diverse and representative assembly.
The President reiterated the significance of decentralisation reforms in bringing the government closer to the people. With the inauguration of 259 out of 261 district assemblies, except Nkoranza North and South in the Bono East Region which had their elections in 2021 instead of 2019, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the government was now more accessible to citizens than ever before.
However, he acknowledged the need for further progress in promoting decentralisation and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for local issues. President Akufo-Addo called on assembly members to educate communities about decentralisation and Ghana’s local governance system, and to work towards localising basic public services.
The President stressed the importance of building relationships and partnerships among assembly members, district chief executives, parliament members, and other local structures. He also emphasised the need for innovative approaches to resource mobilisation for development purposes.
President Akufo-Addo urged assembly members to align their plans with the government’s Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies. He mentioned the various policies, including the National Decentralisation Policy and Strategy, National Urban Policy and Action Plan, Local Economic Development Policy and Action Plan, and the National Rural Development Policy, that should guide decision-making processes at the local level.
The President acknowledged the challenges faced by assembly members in providing effective leadership and assured them of the government’s commitment to their capacity building. He announced that the Institute of Local Government Studies had been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to provide training and orientation for assembly members.
President Akufo-Addo also addressed the issue of unplanned and haphazard development within district jurisdictions. He called on assembly members to enforce planning standards and compliance with the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, emphasising the importance of organised and sustainable development.
The President also encouraged active citizen participation in the development process and emphasised the importance of accountability, selflessness, and devotion to duty. He officially declared the district assembly duly inaugurated, wishing all assembly members a successful tenure.
The inaugural meeting of district assemblies marks a significant step towards strengthening local governance and promoting citizen involvement in decision-making processes. The government appears committed to empowering assembly members and ensuring their ability to address the needs of the people and improve their quality of life.
The inauguration follows the successful District Level Elections in December last year that elected new assembly and unit committee members to serve in the various assemblies for the next four years.
The District Level Elections are held every four years and take place a year before the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Since 1988, Ghana has had nine successive local-level elections, to engender greater citizens’ participation in the process.
Section six of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936) as amended by Act 940, provided that District Level Elections should be held every four years with an interval between it and the presidential and parliamentary elections being at least six months apart.
As part of the inauguration, representatives of the President would deliver his inaugural address and all elected assembly and unit committee members across the 259 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would be sworn in to officially commence their mandate to ensure the smooth and effective discharge of their duties in their respective electoral areas.
Already, the Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, has revealed the government’s determination to ensure that a significant number of women and people living with disabilities (PWDs) were appointed to serve in the various MMDAs.
Consequently, he said the majority of the 30 per cent of government appointees to the 259 MMDAs who were inaugurated were women and PWDs.
By Vincent Kubi