The Chief Imam (middle) is flanked by General Secretary (left) and President of the Association
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Shaributu, has asked Assembly Members in the country to exhibit transparency in their dealings with their constituents.
According to the Chief Imam, Assembly Members are the fulcrum of decentralization and, therefore, the importance of their roles cannot be underestimated, hence the need to lead their people with decorum and decency.
The revered Islamic cleric was speaking during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Ghana Association of Elected Assembly Members (GAAM).
Hailing the Assembly Members for their commitment and dedication to enhancing local governance and participatory democracy, the Chief Imam urged the leadership of the association to remain apolitical and champion the welfare of Assembly Members in the country.
Exceptional leadership
The national president of the association, Charles Adu Asinor, commended the National Chief Imam for his exceptional leadership in enhancing religious cohesion and national unity. He assured him that the association will emulate his exceptional leadership qualities by fostering better relationship with all major stakeholders in decentralization to improve effectiveness of local governance.
Addressing the media, Mr Adu Asinor said the association welcomes any decision and policy intervention that will motivate and facilitate the work of Assembly Members.
Grassroots democracy
In a related development, the Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya-Na Abukari II, has described Assembly Members as the drivers of grassroots democracy in the country.
Addressing the executives of GAAM, during a courtesy call on him over the weekend at Gbewaa Palace, the revered king said Assembly Members are the building blocks in decision- making at the local level where decisions on developmental projects and infrastructure are made.
He added that they interface between government and the grassroots, thereby enhancing inclusive and participatory democracy.
The Dagbon king further noted that is imperative for the country not to undermine the efforts of the Assembly Members.
Position of Gbewaa palace
Ya-Na Abukari II added that he is “following the ongoing debate as to whether Assembly Members should be paid or not, and also whether the office of the Assembly Member should be politicized”.
The king said he is still studying the implications of these propositions on the unity of the people and its possible developmental outcome, adding, “I shall state the position of the Gbewaa Palace in due course”.
He advised Assembly Members across the country to continue their good works to deepen inclusive democratic participatory process, by highlighting the plight of the people to the central government for timely redress to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.
Key players
The General Secretary of the Association, Dennis Obeng Agyei, speaking to the media, noted that chiefs are key partners and stakeholders in local governance. He said that is the reason why the association is galvanizing their support and blessings to have a formidable body that will asume the position a powerful and influential mouthpiece in local governance in the country in order to help shape policy direction.
He stated that the association has been duly registered and has come to stay to influence and shape policy interventions in decentralization.
The association has so far visited the office of former President John Dramani Mahama; President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede; waste management companies such as Zoomlion, Jekora Ventures, among others.
