Assembly members urged to work in harmony
Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on assembly members to work in unison as a corporate entity with the common goal of developing the districts and delivering service to the people.
He said the success of every Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly would largely depend on the level of cooperation between members of the assembly, the Chief Executives and the other management staff in the discharge of their functions.
Dr Agyemang-Mensah was speaking at the inauguration of the Offinso Municipal Assembly at Offinso, on Wednesday.
The assembly has 43 members, comprising 30 elected members and 13 government appointees, including six women.
An attempt to elect a new Presiding member (PM) for the assembly to coincide with the inauguration proofed futile, since none of the two contestants were able to obtain the two-thirds majority needed to win the seat after two rounds of voting.
The assembly has also been without a Chief Executive for the past eight months after the removal of Mr Victor Amponsah by the President.
In attendance were District Chief Executives, heads of departments, members of the municipal security committee, traditional rulers and chairmen of various political parties.
The members, who have four years to serve the assembly, were sworn in by Mr Osei Kwame, the Offinso Circuit Court Judge.
The Regional Minister urged the members to live up to expectation, by serving in a way that would let the people appreciate the fact that they are truly participating in the decision-making process and governance of the country.
Dr Agyemang-Mensah catalogued some of the duties of assembly members as indicated in the Local Government Act and advised that they have due regard to national interest and the interest of the people in their areas.
Mr Adam Mohammed Baba, the Municipal Co-ordinating Director told the members to be very objective in their endeavours and work assiduously.
He said they would be judged not only by projects they get for their communities but also the quality of contributions they make during meetings, which would eventually lead to sound decisions that would benefit the entire municipality.
He stressed the need for the electorate to support and encourage the members, by providing them with the necessary information and cooperation in the discharge of their duties.
Nana Wiafe Akenten III, Paramount Chief of the Offinso Traditional Area appealed to the assembly members to remain committed to the development of the area.
Source: GNA