National Conference of PMs Held with Renewed Commitment to Grassroots Leadershi
National Conference of Presiding Members pushes for longer tenure, improved logistics, and grassroots empowerment to strengthen local governance
The National Conference of Presiding Members – Ghana, in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies, has organized a two-day programme in Accra under the theme “Empowering Local Government Actors and Institutions for National Renewal Under a New Dawn.”
Participants included Presiding Members from the various regions, the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALLAG), regional deans of Presiding Members, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund, the Institute of Local Government Service, and the Institute of Local Government Studies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the National Dean of Presiding Members, Hon. Jacintho Andrews Kwaku, praised H.E. John Mahama for fulfilling government’s commitment to paying allowances for Assembly Members as well as supporting capacity building for grassroots leaders with the requisite resources.
He said the government’s decision to allow the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will bring competence and accountability to governance while empowering citizens to choose their leaders at the local level.
Hon. Jacintho Andrews Kwaku also highlighted the lack of adequate offices and logistics for Presiding Members across the 261 Assemblies, which hinders their effectiveness. He further called for a review of the two-year tenure of Presiding Members, noting that the short term prevents continuity and undermines innovation.
“Extend PM tenure from two to four years for effective governance, institutionalize by-elections in the PM space, and introduce uniform allowances just like other Article 71 officeholders,” he said.
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First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Bernard Ahiafo, said government has put in place a comprehensive framework to address the needs of MMDCEs and empower them to govern effectively at the grassroots level.
Council of State Member for the Greater Accra Region, HRM Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey, also noted that government has fulfilled its promise of paying allowances to Assembly Members through the MMDAs, enabling them to properly monitor government projects in their respective electoral areas.
Report by Ben LARYEA
