Ghana Association of Elected Assembly Members (GAAM), has appealed to the Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, John Dramani Mahama to ensure that supporters of the party desist from electoral violence to help maintain peace before, during and after December 7 polls.
“As a leader and the flag bearer of the biggest opposition party in Ghana, who you have played a significant management role in the country’s past elections. GAAM, however, wants you to use your high office to coordinate citizenry and party faithfuls to abstain from election violence to the delight of Ghanaians and the international community” Chairman of Ghana Association of Elected Assembly Members (GAAM), Charles Adu Asinor, said this when National Executives of the Association visited John Dramani Mahama at his office.
The Chairman said the visit was ” to familiarize and inform your esteem self of our birth as an association, the GAAM is an association of elected assembly members in Ghana, we proud to consider ourselves as the foremost agents for grassroots development of this country, the basic aim and objectives of the association are to abolish the differences or the discrepancies among individuals, develop the spirit of common interest, sacrifice and also to participate phenomenally and collectively in community programs”.
The Association says it is willing to partner with a future NDC government to enhance local governance to enhance participatory democracy and development.
Touching on the Welfare of Assembly Members in Ghana, the Chairman of GAAM, said “It is well – known piece of evidence that Assembly Members do not obtain monthly salary but merger allowance during our meetings. GAAM is, therefore, appealing through your office to add this to your manifesto for an enhanced welfare package for assemblymen/women who are elected by the constitution to serve as development agents by rendering constant social services for our respective electoral areas, but clearly missing in the public shadow is the welfare of Assembly Members who amount to the hinge of district assembly, considering the powers granted and responsibilities bestowed on us by the constitution governing local governance and decentralisation in Ghana”.
He further stated that” truth must be told that the welfare and the reputation of Assembly Members have been sullied and discarded by your previous and current government. A member of District Assembly according to section-16 of Local governance Act 936, shall as suitable maintain close contact with the electoral area of the assembly, discuss with the people of the electoral area on issues to be discussed in the assembly; near the views, opinions and proposals of the electorate to the assembly and etc” but lamented, Assembly Members have been relegated to the background in discharging their duties.
He said, the Association also seeks to promote the welfare of Assembly Members offer intellectual and reflective thinking, financial and making our economic issues, to tussle for and represent the interest of elected assembly members who agree with the association’s constitution and general programs to defend the fundamental rights and freedom of members.
The Chairman said, the Association is “determined to ensure that every honourable member of this noble Association gets a fair opportunity to receiving something no matter how infinitesimal for the value of our good works. It is our expectation that your good office will acknowledge, appreciate and support us to deliver the essence of our vision as grassroots agents of development of this country”.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kwadwo Ansah
