Election of MMDAs must be non-partisan — NALAG
The National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has endorsed the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) but said it should be on a non-partisan basis.
It said the election would help fully decentralise and bring governance to the doorstep of the local people.
The recommendation was contained in a communique the group issued after its 20th biennial national delegates conference in Sunyani, which was signed by its General Secretary, Mr Kokro Amankwah.
NALAG, per its constitution, is supposed to have mandatory meetings every two years to review, take stock of its activities and elect new executive members.
Theme
This year’s conference was held on the theme: “Ghana beyond Aid; a paradigm shift for Sustainable Development, the role of Local Authorities”.
It was a platform for discussions on a number of issues in line with achieving the sustainable goals.
“NALAG endorses the proposed referendum for the election of MMDCEs on partisan bases and calls on all Ghanaians to embrace it,” the communique said.
Other recommendations
The communique also recommended that all MMDAs should take advantage of the free dLRev software that was jointly developed by GIZ/MLGRD to automate their revenue collection process to improve Internally Generated Funds (IGF).
On capacity building, it said NALAG should prioritise and capacitate its members to mobilise enough resources and use significant proportion of their IGF for capital projects.
“MMDAs should deepen their engagement with their citizens and other stakeholders on all activities of the assembly. NALAG should step up their advocacy to ensure that its members mainstream and effectively report on the SDGs,” it said.
Economic development
On local economic development, the communique said NALAG should vociferously lead the campaign in mainstreaming local economic development by developing strategies for effective resource mobilisation.
With regard to waste management, NALAG agreed that MMDAs should enter into Public Private Partnership with service providers in waste and sanitation management to adopt modern ways of managing waste, including recycling plants to ensure sustainability, cleanliness and healthy society.
Women participation
Furthermore, it called on MMDAs to empower more women to participate effectively in the upcoming local-level election to enhance gender equality in the local government system.
It concluded by calling on the government to see to the full implementation of Ghana Nationally Determined Contribution on climate adaptation to increase climate resilience and decrease vulnerability to enhance sustainable development.
Elections
The conference also saw the election of new officers. Officers elected into office were Mr Bismark Baisie Nkum, Gomoa West District Assembly, President; Mr Williams Aduum, Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly, 1st Vice President; Madam Evelyn Dansoa Boateng, New Juaben North Municipal Assembly, 2nd Vice President; Mr Seth Oduro Boadu, West Akim Municipal Assembly, Treasurer; Mr Eric Kwaku Eric, Adansi North District and Mr Fiagbaji Prince, Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly, both Trustees, and Mariam Iddrisu, Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, Women’s Caucus Representative.