The Interim national Executives of Ghana Association of Elected Assembly Members (GAAM) on Sunday, August 16, 2020, paid a Courtesy call on the Overlord of Dagbon Kingdom Ya-Na Abukari II at Gbewaa Palace in Yendi to introduce the Association to him and seek his blessings.
Addressing the Executives, King and Overlord of Dagbon Kingdom Ya -Na Abukari II said that, Assembly Members play a very crucial role as the main drivers of grassroots democracy.
According to him, Assembly Members are the building blocks in decision- making at the local level where decisions on developmental projects and infrastructure are made, adding that, Assembly members interface between government and the grassroots thereby enhancing inclusive and participatory democracy, therefore imperative that their efforts are not underestimated.
Ya-Na Abukari II therefore said, he is “following the ongoing debate as to whether Assembly Members should be paid or not, and also whether the office of the Assembly Member should be politicized”.
The King said he is still studying the implications of these propositions on the unity of the people and its possible developmental outcome, adding that, “I shall State the position of the Gbewaa Palace in due course”.
He advised Assembly Members across the country to continue their good work to deepen inclusive democratic participatory process by championing the plight of the people to the government for timely redress to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.
The King adorned President of the Association with a special smock to appreciate their fortitude.
The President of Ghana Association of Elected Assembly Members (GAAM), Charles Adu Asinor told the media that, Chiefs are key partners and stakeholders in local governance; therefore, the association is galvanizing their support and blessings to have a formidable body that will exude a powerful and influential mouthpiece in local governance in the country to shape policy direction.
The National Organizer of the Association Mawunyo Agbe said the Association has been duly registered and has come to stay to influence and shape policy interventions in decentralization.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
