The President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Alfred Asiedu Adjei, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for reaffirming his commitment to providing modest allowances to Assembly Members across the country.
His commendation follows President Mahama’s assurance in his first State of the Nation Address that his administration remains dedicated to decentralisation and improving the welfare of local government representatives.
Mr. Asiedu Adjei emphasised that Assembly Members serve as the vital link between the people and the government, facilitating policy implementation, community engagement, and oversight of local projects adding that for years, the absence of structured and timely allowances had undermined their effectiveness and placed significant financial burdens on them.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Assembly Members, stating that despite their crucial role in governance, they had often been neglected and inadequately compensated.
He described President Mahama’s commitment to paying allowances as a demonstration of his dedication to strengthening Ghana’s decentralisation process stressing that the intervention would not only improve the welfare of Assembly Members but also boost their morale, allowing them to discharge their responsibilities with greater efficiency and dedication.
While welcoming the President’s promise, the NALAG President stressed the need for broader legislative and policy reforms to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of local governance.
He advocated for amendments to key Acts and Legislative Instruments (LIs) to legally guarantee and protect Assembly Members’ allowances and called for strengthened financial autonomy for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure sustainable funding for local governance.
Mr. Asiedu Adjei underscored the importance of deepening decentralisation by equipping local authorities with the necessary resources and decision-making power to drive grassroots development.
He assured Assembly Members and local government stakeholders that NALAG would remain fully engaged with the Office of the President, Parliament, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the commitment to allowances was realised and sustained beyond the 2025 budget hearings.
He assured that NALAG would continue to push for broader local government reforms, including enhanced capacity-building, legislative backing for Assembly Members’ welfare, and improved service delivery mechanisms at the local level.
On behalf of Assembly Members, MMDAs, and local government practitioners, Asiedu Adjei expressed appreciation to President Mahama for prioritising the welfare of Assembly Member reaffirming NALAG’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to strengthen Ghana’s decentralisation efforts, empower local authorities, and ensure that Assembly Members receive the necessary support to serve their communities effectively.
