ORIENTATION FOR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS HELD

19TH AUGUST 2024

The ministry of local government, decentralization and rural development in partnership with the institute of local government studies is carrying out a nationwide orientation for assembly members elected into office in the last district assembly election. A two days training was organised for the assembly members of the assin central constituency, from 11th - 12th August at the Humility Lodge conference room in the Agona West Municipality.

The programme among others is expected to enable the new assembly members transition effectively into their roles and responsibilities as well as provide insight into ghana's decentralization and local government system, the roles and responsibilities of the assembly members, local government and administrative laws and model standing order.

The municipal chief executive, hon. Evans Addison Coleman was present at the training and urged all the assembly members present to learn, debate and make meaningful contributions during the two day training. He also urged all the members to read the modules given them very well, and letting them know that once they acquire the knowledge, they can use it anywhere they find themselves, he ended by saying that, all assembly members should network with each other to learn new things from the other member.

The objectives of the Orientation and Workshop were:

·        

To introduce Hon. Assembly Members to the Local Government System, Challenges, opportunities and their expected roles and responsibilities

·        

Expose Hon. Assembly Members with skills necessary for effective job performance and personal conduct.

·        

Equip Hon. Assembly Members with the competence required to appreciate and be more responsive for creating an enabling environment for Local Economic Development, Industrialization, Job creation, Revenue Mobilization, etc.

·        

Afford Hon. Assembly Members an opportunity to build networks and mutually shared experience as well as best practices from accelerated development at the local level

·        

Set the agenda as well as reach consensus for expending action on Ghana’s decentralization programme.

Presentations were made on the following thematic areas:

1.    

Ghana’s decentralization policy and the Local Government System

2.    

The Assembly as a system and the specific roles and responsibilities of Hon. Assembly Members

3.    

Public Health Functions of MMDA’s including Public Health Emergencies

4.    

Overview of the Model Standing Orders

5.    

Assembly Members as leaders and change agents

6.    

Localizing Ghana Beyond Aid – Implications for MMDA’s

7.    

Ethics, Transparency and Accountability in the management of Assemblies