By Albert Allotey, GNA
Accra, Aug. 7, GNA – Mr Alfred Asiedu Adjei, the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to deliver visible development and accountable leadership.
He warned that local government officials risk losing public confidence if they fail to deliver, hence, they should be up and doing to meet the aspiration of the people.
Mr Adjei gave the advice in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra when he delivered an address at the Ashanti Regional Conference of Presiding Members in Kumasi.
He said citizens were no longer willing to judge local authorities by promises and political rhetoric but by tangible improvements in their communities.
“Local governance is changing across the world. Citizens are no longer satisfied with promises alone. They want results,” he stated.
He added, “They want leaders who listen. They want transparency in the use of public resources. They want Assemblies that are responsive to their needs.”
Speaking on the theme, “Leading Change at the Grassroots: The Role of Presiding Members,” the NALAG President challenged Presiding Members to redefine leadership by ensuring Assembly decisions translate into improved roads, better sanitation, quality healthcare, education, employment opportunities and effective flood control.”
He said the credibility of local government institutions now depended on their ability to solve everyday problems confronting citizens.
“Communities do not remember leaders for the offices they occupied. They remember them for the problems they solved,” Mr Adjei pointed out.
He urged Presiding Members to move beyond presiding over Assembly meetings and instead provide leadership that promotes consensus, accountability, and development.
According to him, every Assembly committee must function efficiently, every decision must reflect fairness and the public interest, and every resolution must produce measurable benefits for local communities.
The NALAG President also called for greater transparency in the management of public resources, stressing that restoring public trust requires Assemblies to deepen citizen participation, strengthen financial accountability and openly account for public funds.
Looking into the future of decentralisation, he advocated the adoption of digital technology, data-driven planning, and improved mobilisation of internally generated revenue to enhance service delivery.
He called on Assemblies to mainstream environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, and inclusive governance by ensuring women, youth and persons with disabilities are fully represented in local decision-making.
Mr Adjei reaffirmed NALAG’s commitment to improving the welfare of Assembly Members and Presiding Members through advocacy for timely payment of allowances, enhanced logistics, capacity building, and better working conditions.
He said strengthening the capacity and welfare of local government officials were essential to building institutions capable of delivering effective governance.
The NALAG President in concluding reminded participants at the conference that Ghana’s national development would ultimately be determined by the performance of its local governments.
“When our Assemblies succeed, our districts succeed. When our districts succeed, our regions succeed. And when our regions succeed, Ghana succeeds,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei