The Coalition of District Assembly Members (CODAM) has expressed its profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and his government to allocate funds for Assembly Members’ allowances.
The allocation of the funds fulfils a key promise outlined in the electioneering manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
In a press statement signed by Mr. Mawunyo Agbe, the President of CODAM and Dean of Presiding Members in the Volta Region and Presiding Member (PM) of the Ho Municipal Assembly, the coalition acknowledged the government’s commitment to supporting Assembly Members, as stated on page 10, paragraph 4 of the manifesto.
Mr. Agbe noted that this commitment has now been decisively acted upon, with the allocation officially confirmed in the 2025 Budget and Financial Statement, specifically on page 14, paragraph 2.
“This significant step reinforces our collective commitment to good governance, transparency, and the efficient functioning of our Assemblies,” he stated.
He emphasised that by honoring this pledge, President Mahama has not only strengthened public confidence but also set a high standard for accountability and inclusive development in the country.
The statement further noted that the allocation of funds for Assembly Members’ allowances will significantly enhance their operational capacity, ensuring effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
“This initiative will empower Assembly Members to carry out their duties more efficiently, improving governance and fostering local development in their respective communities,” Mr. Agbe said.
The CODAM reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the government to ensure the success of local governance and development initiatives.
“We extend our sincere thanks to President Mahama for his visionary leadership and dedication to fulfilling the promises made to the people of Ghana. This is a significant milestone, and we look forward to continued collaboration to build a more prosperous and equitable nation,” the statement concluded.
The move has been widely welcomed by Assembly Members across the country, who have long advocated for a structured remuneration system to enhance their work and dedication to their communities.
In another development, Mr. Alfred Asiedu Adjei, President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to expedite action on the election of their Presiding Members (PMs).
This, he said, would avert leadership gaps that threaten effective local governance.
He said the absence of PMs in Assemblies was not merely an administrative gap but a fundamental governance challenge that impeded effective decision making, development planning and service delivery at the local level.
Mr. Asiedu Adjei made the call in an interaction with some journalists in Accra.
He explained that as the country transitioned into a new government under President John Dramani Mahama, it was critical to uphold the integrity and functionality of local governance structures by ensuring that all Assemblies have duly elected PMs where vacancies existed.
The NALAG President stated that although the December 2023 district level elections brought in a new cohort of Assembly members who were sworn into office, many Assemblies have since struggled to elect PMs due to disagreements and the inability to reach a consensus.
He explained that some Assemblies that previously had PMs had also been affected following the revocation of positions held by government appointees thereby compounding the leadership crisis in those districts.
“With new government appointees expected to be sworn in soon under the current administration, it is imperative that affected Assemblies prioritize the election of PMs immediately,” he stressed.
MrAsiedu Adjei noted that local governance operated within a structured framework where the general assembly under the leadership of a PM played a crucial role in policy formulation, budget approval and oversight of the Executive Committee.
He added that without a PM work at the Assemblies would remain stagnant and were unable to effectively discharge their statutory functions.
Mr Asiedu Adjei intimated that the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) was contingent on the presence of a PM, indicating that any delays in the election could paralyze administrative leadership and hinder development efforts in the affected districts.
“At this crucial juncture, as we await the appointment of new government representatives by the President, I strongly urge all Assemblies facing this challenge to rise above differences, foster dialogue and expedite the election of their PMs,” he advised.
The NALAG President underscored the importance of a fully functional Assembly for the success of the country’s decentralized governance system, adding that political disagreements or internal conflicts should not be allowed to obstruct governance at the grassroots level.
“The development of our communities and the well-being of our citizens depend on effective leadership and seamless administrative processes,” he stated.
Mr. Asiedu Adjei therefore appealed to all stakeholders, including elected Assembly members, government appointees, traditional authorities and Civil Society Organizations to recognize the urgency of the matter and collaborated to ensure that the Assemblies were fully operational.
“Local governance is the backbone of national development and a well-structured, fully functional Assembly is essential for policy implementation and service delivery.
“Let us work together to uphold the principles of decentralization, ensure the smooth operation of our Assemblies and reinforce the democratic foundations of our nation,” he stressed.
Mr Asiedu Adjei pointed out that through unity and cooperation, Ghana could strengthen its local governance structures and pave the way for sustainable development in all parts of the country.
From Michael Foli Jackidy, Ho
GNA
The post Assembly members express gratitude to President Mahama appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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