The President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Mr Theophilus Mensah Aidoo, has urged District Assemblies to provide offices and logistics for Presiding Members to enhance their role in the assembly concept.
This, he noted, would strengthen local participation of the people at the grassroots in the decentralization programme.
According to Mr Mensah, the Presiding Members are the legislative and deliberative heads of District Assembly, which meant that they needed to be adequately resourced to enable them function effectively.
Mr Aidoo, who is also the DCE, for Gomoa West, was addressing the 16th National Conference of Presiding Members in Koforidua on the theme: "The Presiding Member - a Key Player in Contemporary Local Governance".
He said Presiding Members must always be prepared to take up their responsibilities, particularly in the authentication of ordinances and resolutions.
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yiley Chireh, said audit reports of the assemblies were not too good and called on the Presiding Members to study the reports and ensure that funds were used judiciously.
He shared the view that Presiding Members should be given offices and logistics and noted that all public office holders must be given sufficient logistics to be able to perform better.
Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, said a wrong perception had been created out there that the position of a Presiding Member is a stepping stone to becoming a District Chief Executive.
He appealed to Presiding Members to relate well with the DCE's for the smooth development of their respective assemblies adding that antagonism only slowed down the pace of development.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo assured that in as much as the Presiding Members were being asked to relate well, the DCE's have also been warned against the use of unlimited powers.
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