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Until government appoints technocrats and experts to various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the citizenry would not have interest in assembly elections.

According to Nana Kwabena Dwomoh Sarpong, the apathy being displayed by the electorate was because they do not see persons with technical knowhow and expertise in various assemblies.

“Government should change the face of local governance by appointing persons who can help in shaping affairs. If an expert sees his colleague being appointed to an assembly the possibility of that colleague contesting to become an Assembly Member could be guaranteed,” he said.

He added that there should be a well-calculated move to have serious minded people to serve as Assembly Members.

Nana Dwomoh, an accomplished businessman, told The Enquirer, in an interview yesterday that until certain measures are put in place the apathy towards local assembly elections will remain.

“As it stand now, chief executives of various assembly would continue to have a field day as there are no experts to challenge their actions and inactions,” he said.

He noted: “As it stands people are just interested in the title ‘Honorable’ instead of being at the assembly to help in the development of their respective areas.”

Nana Sarpong told The Enquirer that the local assembly concept was a very laudable concept but things are not being done to generate competition and keen interest.

“Somebody comes to knock at your door and tells you that vote for him or her as an Assembly Member, you will never take that person seriously,” he said.

He said: “The contestants should be able to tell the electorate about their expertise and how they could help the areas to develop.”

“As it stands now anybody can become an Assembly Member, when elsewhere the local level participation is a serious business for serious-minded persons,” he contended.

Nana Sarpong told The Enquirer that the appointment by government should be looked into properly as it appears persons who are appointed were not serious with how things are done.

Until serious hands are seen at various assemblies, elections to have members would not generate the much needed interest, he pointed out.