Mr. Alfred Aseidu Adjei, the President of NALAG,cautioned Presiding Members (PMs) of the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that Ghanaian Citizens are no longer satisfied with promises. They want results. They want leaders who listen. They want transparency in the use of public resources. They want Assemblies that are responsive to their needs. ”
He therefore reminded them that “as leaders of the General Assembly, Presiding Members must therefore champion a culture of accountability, participation and innovation.

Mr. Alfred Aseidu Adjei speaking at the conference

Mr.Adjei,who’s popularly known as Paa Joe made the called on Thursday, 6th August, 2026 at Miklin hotel in Kumasi, when he delivered a keynote note address during the opening ceremony of Conference of Presiding Members, Ashanti Region.
The conference was on the theme “Leading change at the grassroots, the role of presiding members.”

The NALAG President said the Assembly meetings should not merely approve budgets and plans, “They should become platforms where ideas are generated ,challenges are add and lasting solutions are developed.
Adding that every resolution passed should improve the lives of their people, ” Every committee should work effectively, every decision should reflect fairness and the public interest. That is how we lead change. ”

He pointed out that, as President of NALAG, ” i firmly believe that Presiding Members are among the most important pillars of Ghana’s local governance system. While many people see the Presiding Member only as the person who chairs Assembly meeting your responsibility goes far beyond. Presiding member over debates.You a consensus builder, you are guardians of democracy at the local level, you are ambassadors of development, and you are custodians of accountability and transparency.

Participants in a group photograph

Above all, you are leaders entrusted with bringing together different opinions for the common good of your communities.

According to Mr. Alfred Aseidu Adjei, leadership is not measured by the authority they possess but by the nositive change they inspire.” Commanities do not remeiser leaders for the titles they held they rememberalem for the problems they solved.”

He said communities are looking to them for solutions, better roads, improved schools, quality healthca, lective sanitation, job opportunities for the youth, scommunities, and responsive local govemance

He continued that “I commend the Ashanti Regional Conference of Presiding Members for choosing a theme that is both timely and visionary: “Leading Change at the Grassroots: The Role of Presiding Members

According to him, the theme reminds them that meaningful national development does not begin in the capital city. It begins in their towns, villages, municipalities, and districts. Every successful nation is built on strong local institutions, capable leaders, and active citizens.

As President of NALAG, “I firmly believe that presiding members are among the most important pillars of Ghana’s local governance system. While many people see the Presiding Member only as the person who chairs Assembly meetings, your responsibility goes far beyond presiding over debates.You are consensus builders,You are guardians of democracy at the local level,You are ambassadors of development,You are custodians of accountability and transparency.”

Reminding them that,these expectations can not be met through confrontation or division. They require collaboration, novation, and servant leadership.
“As presiding members, you occupy a unique constitutional position. You are expected to work haroniously with the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive Assembly Members, traditional authorities, civil society, religious leaders, the people you serve,Leadership at the grassroots demands patienc,It demands integrity,it demands humility,above all, it demands the courage to place the interest of the community above personal or political interests.

He said local governance is changing across the world. Citizens are no longer satisfied with promises alone. They want results. They want leaders who listen. They want transparency in the use of public resources. They want Assemblies that are responsive to their needs.

As leaders of the General Assembly, Presiding Members must, therefore, champion a culture of accountability, participation, and innovation.
He said local governance technology, data-driven plann and stronger com-depends on their ability to embrace innovation.
According to him, digital community engagement must be come part of how they govem. they must encourage Assemblies to improve revenue mobilisation without overburding their citizens. “We must promote environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness,we must support quality education, healthcare, sanitation, and local economic development.And we must ensure that women, young people, and ersons with disabilities are fully included in local desion-making.Saying that no community develops when sections of its people are left behind.

President of NALAG, “I assure you that the ociation will continue to advocate for stronger governance institutions and improved welfare for Assembly members and presiding members.including advocacy on timely payment of allowances, capacity building, logistics support, and improved work-onditions is not merely about benefits. It is about gthening the institution of local governance so you can serve your communities effectively and community.

These are the true measures of successful local governance. Let this conference therefore become more than an annual gathering.

Let it become a platform for sharing ideas, strengthening partnerships, and renewing our commitment to public service. When you return to your respective Assemblies, return with a renewed determination to lead with integrity, fairness, and vision.

• Lead with courage when difficult decisions must be made.

• Lead with wisdom when opinions differ

• Lead with compassion when your people face hard ship.

• Lead with humility because leadership is service.

And lead with hope because our communities deser nothing less. In conclusion, let us remember that the strength of Ghana depends on the strength of our low governments. When our assemblies succeed, our districts succeed. When our districts succeed, our regions succeed. And when our regions succ, Ghana succeeds.

• Together, let us continue to lead change at the g roots.

• Together, let us strengthen local democracy.

• Together, let us build resilient, inclusive, and pre ous communities for present and future generati