Reserve Assembly seats for traditional authorities, technocrats

Saltpond (C/R), April 26, GNA - Mr Frank Adobah, Central Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on District Chief Executives to stop interfering in the appointment of the 30 percent membership of District Assemblies by the President, in consultation with traditional and other interest groups in the Districts.

He suggested that the President should reserve 30 percent of the membership of District Assemblies for technocrats and people with specialised skills.

Mr Adobah was addressing a workshop for promoting women participation in local governance with special reference to the 2006 District Assembly Elections at Saltpond.

He noted that even though the President should appoint Government Nominees, the situation where District Chief Executives (DCEs) filled the positions with party activists deprived the Assemblies of experienced professionals and other skilled hands.

The NCCE Director said instead of benefiting the Districts, the result is the polarisation of the Assemblies with political interest at the expense of development and good governance at the local level. Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman DCE, said women were known to have certain qualities that made them unique in decision-making. They embrace all aspects of human life and have both men and children at heart and make sure that whatever decision they take was in the interest of society, he added.

The DCE expressed regret that women's participation in Local Governance had not been encouraging.

Records indicate that out of the 70-member first Mfantseman Assembly, only one woman was elected, with four appointed. The second Assembly had three elected and four nominated while the third Assembly had no woman as an elected member. Currently there are eight women in the Assembly consisting, three elected and five appointed. Mr Quainoo-Arthur appealed to the men to encourage their sisters and wives to offer themselves for elected offices.

Miss Margaret Mary Sackey, District NCCE Director, appealed to women to devote part of their time for political activities. She urged those holding political offices to encourage more women to combine their household chores with public and political offices. Dasebre Kwebu Ewusie VII, Omanhene of the Abeadze Traditional Area, deplored the manner Ghanaians managed their time and said this was one of the reasons for the high level of poverty in the country.