By:Isaac Amoah
The Conference of Presiding Members (PMs) in the Ashanti Region has successfully held a three-day conference at Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.
The conference, which was on the theme: Strengthening local governance, the opportunities and the challenges, aimed at sharing ideas, experience and learning from each other besides presentations from experts.
Some scenes from the ceremony
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Clement Opoku Gyamfi, a private legal practitioner, who doubles as a former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region.
The conference was attended by the Administrative Officer at the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), Mr. Kofi Amoah, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene. Also present were Mr. Yaw Obempeh, a representative of the Ashanti Regional Council of State ,Mr.George Manu,the Ashanti East Manager of Zoomlion Company,who made a presentation on behalf of the Executive Chairman of Jospong group of Companies,Mr.Siaw Agyapong and Mr Frederick Agyarko Oduro, a local expert.
In a solidarity message from the President of NALAG, Mr. Alfred Asiedu Adjei, which was read by Nana Yaw Wiredu, the Ashanti Regional representative of NALAG, who is also the PM for Asokwa Municipality, he said the theme for the conference was both timely and significant.
He called on the participants to reflect deeply on the role they play in shaping the future of their communities and in advancing Ghana’s decentralisation agenda.
He said, “As Presiding Members, you hold a strategic and indispensable position within our local governance framework, serving as the bridge between the people and their assemblies, guiding deliberations, and ensuring that decisions reflect the aspirations of our citizens.”
The NALAG President said strengthening local governance required more than simply fulfilling statutory duties. “It demands visionary leadership, inclusive decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability,” he added.
Mr. Adjei assured the conference members, saying, “NALAG will continue to stand firm with them and continue to champion their cause until the proposed amendments of Article 244 (1) of the 1992 Constitution to allow Presiding Members to be elected by a simple majority when a quorum is formed, rather than the current two-thirds requirement.”
Besides, the NALAG President wanted amendment to Article 244 (2) to extend PMs’ term of office to be coterminous with the Assembly’s tenure (four years), ensuring continuity, stability, and adequate time for capacity-building and long-term planning.
He also advocated the amendment of Article 250 (2) of the 1992 Constitution so that emoluments of PMs and Assembly members could be charged on the Consolidated Fund rather than solely on the Assemblies’ Internally Generated Funds (IGF), ensuring fair, consistent, and sustainable remuneration.
On his part, Dr. Frank Amoakohene stressed the need for unity among PMs and Assembly members, as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to ensure accelerated development.
He also called on them to come out with innovative ideas for revenue mobilisation to help finance projects apart from the Common Fund.
