By Edzorna Francis Mensah
In order to address the challenges of the Unit Committee Members so as to deepen, local governance in Ghana for growth and development, the Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu has made a passionate appeal to the government and other stakeholders to take a look at the welfare of the Unit Committee Members under the decentralization system of governance.
According to her, there is a growing concern among Unit Committee Members for neglect by the Central Government-this neglect is made manifest in limited communication, inadequate funding and a lack of involvement in policy formulation that affects local governance.
As a result, the MPs in support of the Unit Committee members are seeking an amendment to the existing Act to promote and provide inclusiveness and participation in decision making process and more engagements with the Central Government regarding local issues.
On the issue of capacity building and training needs, the Unit Committee Members reckon that there is an urgent need for capacity building through training programs tailored specifically for committee members-such training should be tailored to enhance their skills in governance, project management, conflict resolution, and community mobilization. Misunderstanding with Zonal Councils.
In a statement made on the floor of parliament on Wednesday, February 19th, madam Elikplim said “in a petition presented to me, they requested an urgent intervention in addressing the following issues: Lack of empowerment. Mr Speaker, the Unit Committee Members feel disempowered due to insufficient authority and participation in the decision-making process.
They therefore want to urge the Ministry for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to provide clear guidelines that enhance their role in the decision-making process. Low Recognition and Remuneration”.
She said, the Unit Committee members state that there is a noticeable low, if not absent recognition and financial remuneration for them- “according to them this lack of acknowledgement demotivates them and undermines their commitment”.
“They propose that a structured remuneration framework be put in place to reward and motivate them for their time and efforts”, this she mentioned “will go a long way to strengthening the effectiveness of the Unit Committee in the local government and ultimately lead to improving the local governance system and community development”.
The MP was however grateful to the Speaker and the House for given her the opportunity to address the august house on the critical role of local governance in Ghana’s democratic development, particularly addressing the challenges faced by Unit Committee members in the various local government units.
“local governance continues to form the bedrock of Ghana’s participatory democracy, ensuring that governance is brought closer to the people. Ghana’s decentralization system, established under chapter twenty of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), provides the framework for grassroots governance with district assemblies as the highest political and administrative authorities at the local level.
The Unit Committee, as the lowest structure of the local government, is essential in engaging communities, mobilizing citizens for development, and implementing policies at the grassroots level. However, Rt. Honourable Speaker, despite the importance placed on the Unit Committee, it continues to face challenges that hinder its work”.
