Ho (V/R), Aug. 5, GNA – Presiding Members across the Volta Region convened in Ho for their 2025 Annual Conference on the theme: “Resetting Local Leadership for National Rebuilding: Advancing Decentralization, Participation, and Sustainable Development.”
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The three-day conference aims to deepen collaboration between Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and Presiding Members (PMs) to enhance effective local governance.
Delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the conference, Mr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta Regional Representative to the Council of State and Special Guest of Honour, emphasized the urgent need to reorient local leadership.
“Ghana’s progress depends on functional local governance. National policies only become meaningful when they yield tangible results in our communities,” he noted.
He urged presiding members to take a proactive stance in redefining leadership at the local level.
“Citizens across communities like Agotime, Keta, Sogakope, Ho, and Aflao expect more than meetings and promises. They want jobs, better infrastructure, and improved services,” he stressed.
Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple called for inclusive participation in local governance, highlighting the importance of engaging youth, women, traditional authorities, and persons with disabilities.
He underscored that true decentralization meant not just delegating authority but enhancing responsiveness and accountability at the grassroots.
To support this vision, Mr. Kwamigah-Atokple pledged a personal donation to each Presiding Member. This includes a customized ceremonial gown with their Assembly’s logo, a copy of the Local Governance Act (Act 936), a ceremonial gavel, and a cash sum of GHS 50,000.
“These items symbolize your leadership responsibility and commitment to advancing development,” he said.
He encouraged assemblies to explore innovative ways to boost Internally Generated Funds (IGF) by digitizing revenue collection, leveraging tourism, and collaborating with local cooperatives to create sustainable value chains.
He emphasised that these efforts aligned with the 24-Hour Economy initiative led by President John Dramani Mahama, which seeks to extend productivity across sectors and create jobs.
Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, described the role of the Presiding Member as pivotal and called for a review of their tenure. “The current two-year term is inadequate. The process of confirming a Presiding Member is even more rigorous than appointing a Speaker of Parliament,” he said, advocating for a four-year tenure.
He expressed concern over the lack of mobility for most DCEs due to high-maintenance cost of vehicles and urged reconsideration in future procurement.
On local economic development, Mr. Gunu stressed the need to improve IGF mobilization and encouraged assemblies to think beyond traditional revenue streams.
He cited successful initiatives like the establishment of livestock markets and proposed competition-driven revenue charts across electoral areas to promote accountability and performance.
He further called for the revival of area councils and unit committees, emphasizing their potential in supporting birth and death registrations and revenue mobilization.
“Substructures must not remain dormant. They are vital in building strong foundations for local governance,” he said.
Mr. Jerry Ameko, DCE for Adaklu and Dean of MDCEs in the Volta Region, pledged full collaboration with presiding members.
He described the conference theme as both timely and prescriptive. “This is a call for a new kind of leadership—one that listens, empowers, and facilitates inclusive participation,” he said.
He reaffirmed the MDCEs’ commitment to the national rebuilding agenda led by President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that meaningful governance must be rooted in the needs and voices of the people.
In his welcome address, Mr. Mawunyo Agbe, Presiding Member for Ho Municipal Assembly and Dean of Presiding Members in the Volta Region, described the conference as a defining moment. “Our theme reflects the urgency for clear, purposeful, and courageous leadership at the local level,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for establishing a monthly allowance for assembly members, calling it a vital boost to morale. He announced plans to allocate additional sitting days to enhance oversight of development plans and budgets.
Mr. Agbe also advocated the provision of dedicated offices for Presiding Members, noting that many still operate from their homes.
He proposed the formation of a Conference of Assembly Members and a Conference of Unit Committee Members to strengthen local governance structures.
To improve collaboration and learning, he proposed a peer review mechanism where Presiding Members will visit each other’s assemblies during General Meetings.
“Let us lead with vision, act with integrity, and deliver results that our people can see and feel,” he concluded.
By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
