Takoradi, May 3, GNA 97 The French Embassy would organise a workshop for 850 newly elected assembly members in the 17 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Western Region, to educate them on their responsibilities and basic mandate. The workshop, which would be supported by the United States Agency for International Development would also educate the assembly members on conflict management, financial management, income management and advocacy action.

The Embassy's Governance Adviser, Mr Christian Yolly made this known at a workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Takoradi on Tuesday. He the workshop would afford the assembly members the opportunity to learn the standing orders, procedures and how to work on committee levels in the assembly.

Mr Yolly noted that the decentralisation concept is administrative inclined and needed grassroots participation in the governance process.

The Mpohor Wassa East District Chief Executive, Mr Anthony Bassaw said the workshop had come at an opportune time to help educate the assembly members.

The Programme Manager of the Centre for Democratic Development, Mr Abrompa Mensah said the local government system was designed for community participation whilst the district chief executives were mere facilitators.

He urged the MMCEs to involve people in the grassroots in the governance process.