Politics

‘Resource PMs to carry out mandate effectively’

Presiding Members (PMs) of various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have appealed to the government to resource them to carry out their mandate effectively and efficiently to deepen local governance at the grassroots level.

“We are appealing to the government through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development to resource and institute a fixed term of office for Presiding Members so as to feel secured to enable us to carry out our mandate effectively and efficiently to deepen local governance in communities,” they stressed.

The PMs noted that it was important for them to be equipped with tools, and provided with offices with secretaries to enable them to perform their roles optimally just like Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Assembly Members.

Apostle Frimpong Boadu, the newly elected Dean of Ashanti Regional Presiding Members, made the appeal at the Conference of Presiding Members in the Ashanti Region held in Obuasi, contended that they should also have fixed term of office preferably four years to boost their confidence level in exercising their functions.

He polled 24 votes as against 11 votes by his only contender, George Oppong, a private legal practitioner in the election of the Dean of Presiding Members.

Mr Boadu, who is also the Presiding Member for Obuasi Municipal Assembly, hinted that there was an ongoing discussion at the top regarding issues affecting them and just like MMDCEs and Assembly members, PMs should also have fixed term of office preferably four years to boost their confidence and trust level in exercising their functions.

He pledged to set up a committee to help settle disputes that might arise regarding relationship between Presiding Members and their MMDCEs since it was imperative for MMDCEs to have healthy and cordial relationship with their PMs while in office.

“As Presiding Members, we will continue to cooperate effectively and efficiently with management of Assemblies to promote progress, growth and development and there cannot be development when MMDCEs and PMs are at loggerheads,” Mr Boadu cautioned.

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