By: Isaac Amoah
The Dean of Conference of Presiding Members (PMs) in the Ashanti Region, who is also the PM for Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, has stated emphatically that effective local governance is the backbone of Ghana’s development as it brings decision-making closer to the people.
He is, therefore, strongly advocating the amendment of Article 243 (1) to provide for direct election of District Chief Executives by the citizens of each district.
“The revised article would read as follows: There shall be a District Chief Executive for every district who shall be elected by universal adult suffrage in a non-partisan basis in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and any other relevant law.”
“This amendment, if adopted, aims to deepen local democracy, participatory governance and promote accountability, allowing citizens to elect their local leaders to strengthen democratic governance and ensure that local leadership reflects the will of the people,” he explained.
Mr Patrick Kwame Frimpong making a presentation at the conference
Mr. Frimpong, who is also the National Vice-President of NALAG, made the proposal at the Association’s three-day conference held at Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.
The conference, which was on the theme: Strengthening local governance, the opportunities and the challenges, was held from Thursday, 21st August to Saturday, 23rd August 2025.
The local governance expert, who has served as Assembly member for the Krofrom East Electoral Area within KMA since 2006 to date, also proposed amendments to Article 244 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The current provision of the Article reads: “The District Assembly shall have a Presiding Member who shall be elected by the Assembly from among its members.The Presiding Member shall be elected by at least two-thirds majority y’all the members of the Assembly”.
He said Article 244 (1) should be amended to read: “The District Assembly shall have a Presiding Member who shall be elected by the Assembly members from among its members. The Presiding Member shall be elected by a single majority of at least two-thirds of the Assembly members at the Assembly meeting.”
The Ashanti Regional Dean of PMs Conference expressed concerns that the current provisions requiring a two-thirds majority for the election of a PM has often resulted in challenges that hinder the smooth functioning of District Assemblies.
According to him, the inability to attain the required two-thirds majority has led to delays in electing, thereby stalling decision- making processes and impeding the effective administration of local governance.
He was with the firm believe that amending the provision to allow for the election of a PM by a simple majority when at least one-third of the Assembly in a meeting will streamline the election process.
He stressed, “This adjustment will bring an end to the standing challenges at the Assemblies during the election of their Presiding Members to ensure smooth execution of their responsibilities as prescribed by the constitution.”
Some scenes from the ceremony
He added that the proposed amendments are necessary to enhance the efficiency of District Assemblies.”These changes would align with the broader objective of strengthening local governance structures to better serve the needs of the communities they represent”.
