President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his government's commitment to enhancing the capacity of Assembly members to effectively lead their communities' development initiatives. He announced that the Institute of Local Government Studies has been equipped with modern facilities and training resources to provide comprehensive training for Assembly members. This initiative aims to empower Assembly members and ensure they fulfill their roles and responsibilities effectively.
The President made these remarks during the inauguration of newly constituted District Assemblies across the country. He emphasized the importance of Section 16 (1) of the Local Governance Act, which mandates Assembly members to maintain close contact with their electoral areas and actively participate in communal development activities. President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenges faced by Assembly members due to resource constraints but assured that efforts are being made to address these challenges.
He urged Assembly members to familiarize themselves with relevant governance laws and foster good working relationships with key stakeholders, including District Chief Executives, Traditional Authorities, and Opinion Leaders. Additionally, the President encouraged Assembly members to collaborate with local structures and mobilize resources for community development.
President Akufo-Addo underscored the importance of aligning local development priorities with national policies such as the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies and the Agenda for Jobs. He highlighted sector policies formulated by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, which provide guidelines for local development interventions.
In closing, Mr. Boye Laryea, Municipal Chief Executive of Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly, urged Assembly members to prioritize the collective interest of their electoral areas and work together to advance development initiatives. Despite challenges in electing a Presiding Member during the inauguration, the Assembly is committed to conducting a fair and transparent election within the stipulated time frame.
The inauguration ceremony at the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly saw 17 Assembly members being sworn into office, consisting of 11 elected members and six government appointees. While the election for a Presiding Member did not yield a conclusive result, the Electoral Officer announced plans for another election to be held in 10 days' time.