Sunyani:Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister, has urged a closer working relationship between Presiding Members (PMs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to enhance local governance.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Akwaboa emphasized that conflicts between these officials could hinder the effective functioning of the assemblies and delay development. He advocated for strengthened collaboration to facilitate sustainable development in local communities, stressing the importance of cooperative efforts for effective governance.
The call was made in a speech presented on his behalf at the opening of the inaugural regional conference of PMs in Sunyani, which gathered PMs from the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions. The conference was themed 'Repositioning presiding members for effective local governance and accelerated development'.
Mr. Akwaboa highlighted that improved cooperation between PMs and MMDCEs is essential for the smooth execution of government programs and projects. He cautioned against allowing political, personal, and institutional interests to derail community development aspirations.
He further noted that community members expect assembly stakeholders to work harmoniously in providing essential services such as potable water, electricity, road improvements, and employment opportunities. Assemblies, he said, are crucial for translating national development goals into tangible results, with PMs playing a key role in decision-making processes.
Mr. Akwaboa also pointed out that the absence of PMs can impede assembly operations, as assemblies unable to elect their PMs struggle to perform essential functions. He advocated for providing PMs with necessary resources, training, and capacity-building to enhance their effectiveness.
Additionally, Mr. Dognekoh Atta Kwasi Snr, the Bono Regional Dean of the PMs, called for better collaboration between PMs, assembly members, and management to strengthen accountability. He emphasized the importance of delivering tangible and measurable development outcomes and urged PMs to commit to serving with humility, courage, fairness, and dedication.