The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has urged Presiding Members (PMs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) not to allow political, personal and functional differences to undermine development in their communities.
He said conflicts between the two groups could hamper the effective functioning of assemblies and delay the provision of essential services.
Mr Akwaboa said the people expected PMs and MMDCEs to work together to provide essential services, including electricity, roads, healthcare and job opportunities.
Conference
Mr Akwaboa made the call in a speech read on his behalf at a conference of PMs from the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions at Abesim near Sunyani in the Bono Region last Thursday.
The conference was on the theme: “Repositioning Presiding Members for Effective Local Governance and Accelerated Development.”
He challenged PMs to strengthen their scrutiny of budgets, expenditure and development projects undertaken by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He said the move was essential to strengthen accountability, promote prudent management of public resources and ensure that development initiatives translated into tangible benefits for communities.
Mr Akwaboa said oversight should not be seen as an attempt to obstruct the executive but as a constructive process to identify weaknesses, correct mistakes and improve performance.
He underscored the need for continuous capacity-building and adequate resources for PMs to enable them to discharge their oversight and leadership responsibilities effectively.
Mr Akwaboa urged them to move beyond chairing meetings and provide strategic leadership and ensure effective deliberations and decision-making within their respective assemblies.
He said an assembly could not properly constitute its general assembly to deliberate on key issues without a PM, making the position critical to the functioning of local government.
He urged PMs to strengthen their knowledge of technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence, to meet the changing demands of local governance.
Complaints committees
Mr Akwaboa said the Public Relations and Complaints Committees (PRCCs), chaired by PMs, were important mechanisms for addressing complaints and allegations against assembly members, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and assembly staff in the performance of their duties.
He said the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, with support from the German development agency GIZ, had developed an operational manual to streamline the committees’ activities and provide guidance on their operations.
Mr Akwaboa encouraged assemblies to pursue partnerships with the private sector, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and development partners to support local development.
Closer collaboration
The Bono Regional Dean of Presiding Members, Dognekoh Attah Kwasi, called for closer collaboration among PMs in the three regions to strengthen local governance and accelerate development.
He urged PMs to foster mutual understanding and constructive engagement with assembly members, MMDCEs, coordinating directors and heads of departments to ensure that decisions taken by assemblies translate into improved services and better living conditions for residents.
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