By
Evans Quayson, GNA
Shama (WR), Jan. 24,
GNA – Mr. Joe Ghartey, the Railway Development Minister, has called on assembly
members to be mindful that they form critical part of Ghana’s governance system
and should, therefore, work hard to guarantee development locally.
“You have a role
to play in ensuring that the government delivers on its promises to Ghanaians
and your inauguration today (Thursday) is another important milestone towards
our decentralisation and local governance objectives,” he said.
Mr Ghartey, who is
also the Member of Parliament for Essikado/Ketan, was speaking at the inaugural
ceremony of the newly constituted Assembly of Shama District in accordance with
the 1992 Constitution which enjoins them to lead the development aspirations of
the people.
The functions of
District Assemblies as provided under sections 12(1) and 13 of the Local
Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), include formulation and execution of plans,
programmes and strategies for effective mobilisation of resources for the
development of the District.
Mr Ghartey,
therefore, charged members of the Assembly to advance implementation of
government programmes in the Coordinated programme of Economic and Social
Development Policies.
He entreated the
Assembly to use its bye-laws to enforce compliance of sanitation management and
environmental health standards to ensure cleanliness.
Mr Joseph Amoah, the
District Chief Executive of Shama, praised his predecessors for leaving behind
legacies such as infrastructural development, organisational culture,
governance to the door steps of the people and revenue mobilization.
In spite of the
achievement, he said, much more needed to be done, adding: “The Assembly
is just about a decade old and still grappling with challenges. Our community,
infrastructure, that is, schools, health facilities, roads, water and others
need to be improved.”
“I have no
doubt that the fourth Assembly can actualize the vision of the Assembly, being
the gate way to the Western Region where the best comes from, with enhanced
socio-economic opportunity for the electorates,” he added.
GNA