Assembly members massively support Bawumia’s Electoral Area Share of the Common Fund policy

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com

August 23, 2024
0 Comments

Assembly Members in the Greater Accra Region have unanimously supported plans by the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to initiate the Electoral Area Share of the Common Fund (EASCF), as part of measures to promote district-level development.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, during the NPP 2024 Manifesto launch in Takoradi, emphasized the party’s commitment to enhancing local governance through the EASCF.

The initiative has been designed to allocate a dedicated share of the Common Fund to Assembly members, thereby facilitating more direct and effective development at the electoral area level.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the General Secretary of the Greater Accra Association of Assembly Members (GAAM), Alfred Asiedu Adjei, explained that the EASCF would empower Assembly members by providing them with a dedicated fund for their electoral areas.

This, he said, would necessitate regular reporting and transparency in the management of resources, thereby strengthening leadership and influence at the grassroots level.

“Access to the Electoral Area Share of the Common Fund will elevate the role of Assembly Members, enhance their leadership influence, and make them pivotal in the development process at the grassroots,” Mr Alfred Adjei stated.

“Assembly Members will have greater control over the allocation and utilization of funds, enabling them to prioritize and execute projects that directly address the specific needs of their electoral areas,” he added.

He added that the policy would significantly reduce bureaucratic delays associated with accessing funds for local projects, enabling faster implementation and addressing urgent community needs more effectively.

“With a dedicated fund, Assembly Members will be more accountable to their constituents, as the direct management of resources will require regular reporting and transparency in expenditures.

“The consistent and predictable flow of funds will enable Assembly Members to plan and execute long-term projects, contributing to sustained development rather than relying on ad-hoc funding,” he added.

The policy, according to Mr Alfred Adjei, will result in improved infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, as Assembly members can direct funds more precisely to areas in need.

The EASCF is also expected to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and reduce poverty by targeting projects like markets, small businesses and agricultural support.

“With Assembly Members having the resources to address local issues directly, communities are likely to be more engaged in governance, fostering a stronger sense of ownership and participation in local development,” he said.

“The targeted use of funds for local economic projects, such as markets, small businesses, and agricultural support, will stimulate local economies, create jobs, and reduce poverty within communities,” the GAAM General Secretary added.

The GAAM members also praised Naa Toshie Addo, the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, for her efforts in strengthening local governance. They believe that the EASCF will build on her achievements and foster better cooperation between citizens and their local representatives.

He urged Assembly members across Greater Accra and the entire country to support Dr. Bawumia in the December 7 elections to realize this transformative vision.

“We must not remain on the sidelines. The EASCF represents a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact in our communities. Let us rally behind this initiative and work together for the future of our people,” he said.

Assembly members present included representatives from Ablekuma, Ablekuma West, Ayawaso, Santa Maria, Momobi West, Ga-North, Ga-West, Korley Klottey, Ledzokuku, and La Nkwantanang, among others. The conference was also attended by local chiefs and opinion leaders from the Greater Accra Region.

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com

Politics

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
September 10, 2024
0 Comments
2 minutes Read

Ghana’s democratic evolution ushers in new dawn of development — President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the significant improvement in the country’s democratic dispensation, particularly under the Fourth Republican Constitution, has ushered in a new dawn of participatory governance.

“The voices of women, youth, and marginalised groups, which were often silenced during the years of military rule, are now heard loud and clear,” he noted.

Addressing the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) annual conference in Kumasi, the President said that the inclusive political landscape had brought all identifiable groups on board, with Parliament becoming more representative and civil society more engaged than ever before.

Ghana has witnessed one of the longest periods of democratic rule under the Fourth Republic, after the First, Second and Third Republican Constitutions were torpedoed in military coups in 1966, 1972 and 1981, respectively.

Since 1992, the country has emerged as the beacon of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, upholding the rule of law to the letter to enhance political stability and sustainable growth.

The country’s democratic credentials are at stake as Ghana goes to the polls on December 07, this year, in an election described by political pundits as one of the most keenly contested General Elections.

The polls come at a time when the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, is reeling from a fractured union and declining democratic tenets, following the spread of violent extremism and military coups, especially in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

In the run up to the elections, President Akufo-Addo has assured the populace of a peaceful, fair, and transparent exercise.

“Elections are not merely a democratic ritual; they are the very lifeblood of our political system. They are the mechanism through which the people exercise their sovereign will, choose their leaders, and hold them accountable,” he stated.

The President was optimistic the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would retain power, elaborating the successes chalked in various sectors of the economy over the last seven years.

“The NPP’s path to victory is through a robust defense of its exceptional, proven track record in office and the continuing modernisation of Ghana’s future, championed by our excellent presidential candidate and his dynamic running mate,” he remarked.

Source: GNA

Politics

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
September 10, 2024
0 Comments
3 minutes Read

We are committed to peaceful, fair elections – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring peaceful and fair elections in the upcoming December polls, stressing that its reputation is on the line.

At the launch of Citi FM and Channel One TV’s 2024 General Elections coverage in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairperson of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, assured the public of the commission’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of electoral integrity.

Dr. Asare emphasized that the EC and its officials are under scrutiny from both the country and the international community, and that failure is not an option.

“The commission is fully committed. Our reputation is on the line. We know many people. Mr Avle and I used to be in the LPU together. He used to be my Sunday school teacher. We’ve known each other for many, many years. So, I will find it very, very strange for him to hear that I got an opportunity to do something for my country and I didn’t do it right. Our reputations are on the line. We have family members; we have friends like everyone else.

“When I used to be at Legon, every year I’m teaching over 2000 students. So I know many people and I think all these people will be counting on me that the great work I did, I was teaching at the University of Ghana, I should be able to replicate that and the commission is fully committed and we, the noise we hear, we know that we’ll do a good thing and we know the good Lord out there will also ensure that he blesses the work of our hands.”

“So, we know, come December 7, the processes I outlined, we only need the parties to have their agents at the polling stations and when the counting is done, everything will be done clearly. So, the commission will make sure that we deliver another successful election,” Dr Bossman Asare underscored.

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) also called on the police to take stringent action against individuals who commit electoral offences during the upcoming 2024 General Elections.

National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin emphasised the need for accountability and strict enforcement of electoral laws to ensure a free, fair, and credible election process.

Mr Arhin highlighted the detrimental impact of electoral offences on the democratic process and urged the EC to punish offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Impunity is so much that is why wrongdoing is still ongoing…When people are apprehended, they should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” he stated.

Source: citinewsroom.com