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Mr. Michael Amponsah, Brong-Ahafo Deputy Director of the National Commission for Civic Education(NCCE), has appealed to assembly members to be bothered by the availability of various funds at the district,  municipal, and metropolitan assemblies,  which could be accessed for the development of their respective electoral areas.

           He expressed regret that assembly members did not bother to find out there were various funds   including ceded revenue, District Assemblies Common Fund(DACF), District Development Facility(DDF), Internally Generated Fund(IGF) and Stool Lands Revenue,  readily accessible at the various assemblies and metropolis for development purposes, and this grossly stifled local development at the local level.

          Mr. Amponsah  made the appeal when he  spoke at a meeting of stakeholders on their engagement and consultation on the increasing participation of the marginalized groups in the up-coming district level elections and the decision making process at Dormaa  Ahenkro.

           It was attended by aspiring assembly members, retired public/civil servants, representative of teachers’ associations, representative of traditional councils and religious leaders. 

          The  Deputy Regional Director of NCCE, expressed grave concern about the unprecedented low representation of women and disabled persons in the up-coming district assembly elections in the Dormaa Central Municipality, adding “the current trend could have a negative repercussion on promoting the interest of these marginalized groups at the district level, ” and called for their equal participation in local governance.

          He said the failure of the unit committee members to perform their duties effectively and satisfactorily, in rekindling the spirit of volunteerism in the communities had partly culminated in the outbreak of diseases in different parts of the country due to poor sanitation.

          Mr. Amponsah urged the assembly members to be vigilant and support the assembly in its revenue mobilization efforts, rather than connive with revenue agents to defraud the assembly of  much needed revenue, noting the practice destroyed  the image of the assembly.

        The Deputy Regional Director of NCCE, admonished aspiring assembly members to cultivate good character, develop good communication skills, good relationships, avoid foul and abusive language, good personal image and be knowledgeable,  during their campaigns,  since all these qualities were vital ingredient and qualities to secure massive votes from the electorate.

          He urged the various assemblies in the country to raise their sitting allowances for assembly members, while assembly members reciprocated the gesture by stepping up their work performance.