NALAG President Calls for Empowered Local Governance at Ghana @ 68

At Ghana’s 68th independence celebration, NALAG President Alfred Asiedu Adjei called for urgent reforms in local governance. He emphasized the need for MMDAs to enhance service delivery and community focus, while urging national leadership to empower local authorities with autonomy and resources. The anniversary serves as a call for stakeholders to recommit to effective governance.

As Ghana commemorates 68 years of independence, the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Alfred Asiedu Adjei, has urged for immediate reforms to fortify local governance. He highlighted the necessity for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Assembly Members to reassess and enhance their strategies to guarantee effective service delivery and substantive decentralization.

Hon. Asiedu Adjei emphasized the pivotal role of MMDAs in Ghana’s governance framework while acknowledging ongoing challenges that impede their functionality. He raised critical inquiries regarding the empowerment of local authorities, the effectiveness of MMDAs in addressing community needs, and persistent inefficiencies that hinder progress. He stated, “These critical questions must guide every MMDA in assessing its performance and developing strategies for improvement.”

Moreover, the NALAG President encouraged Assembly Members to prioritize their crucial responsibility towards community service instead of allowing political affiliations to dominate governance. He asserted that local assemblies ought to operate as developmental bodies rather than political party extensions. He remarked, “I urge all Assembly Members to uphold the integrity of their mandate by prioritizing development over party affiliations.”

Extending his appeal to the national leadership, Hon. Asiedu Adjei called for significant actions to strengthen local governance. He underscored the urgency for financial and administrative independence for MMDAs, prompt disbursement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and the establishment of transparency mechanisms to ensure resource optimization. “The national leadership must depoliticize local governance and empower MMDAs to function independently,” he noted.

In light of Ghana’s 68th independence anniversary, he posited that this moment should serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the local governance landscape. He exhorted stakeholders to recommit to effective governance practices. “Our assemblies must work, our communities must thrive, and our governance must be responsive to the aspirations of the people,” he concluded, asserting, “Ghana deserves better, and the time to act is now.”

The remarks by Hon. Alfred Asiedu Adjei during Ghana’s 68th independence anniversary highlight the urgent need for reform in local governance. Emphasizing the importance of MMDAs in service delivery, he called on Assembly Members to focus on community service over political affiliations, and urged national leadership to enhance MMDAs’ autonomy. The President’s call to action urges stakeholders to renew their dedication to governance, ensuring that local bodies operate efficiently and responsively to fulfill citizens’ aspirations.

Original Source: www.gbcghanaonline.com