Volta chiefs call for major transformation in district assemblies concept

February 06, 2010
Ho, Feb. 6, GNA - Members of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, have expressed the need for major reforms in the District Assembly concept, to address the inherent problems and ensure the active involvement of the citizenry in the process.

The House arrived at the consensus during a workshop in Ho to discuss the Chieftaincy Act and the involvement of Chiefs in the 2010 District Assembly elections.

The workshop was organised by the National House of Chiefs and sponsored by the Konrad Adenaur Foundation.

The major complaint of the chiefs was the lack of practical accountability in the management the assemblies due to the mode of appointments by officials.

The chiefs observed that though the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives were to be appointed by the President in consultation with chiefs, the processes of consultations are tainted with partisan considerations.

They recommended that paramount chiefs should hold consultations with chiefs under them to propose a candidate to the President for appointment as chief executives.

The chiefs argued that the 40 per cent appointees of the assemblies made by the President were based on partisan political considerations rather than their special skills.

They recommended that instead of the President appointing the number into the assemblies, social and professional groups which do not have any representation should rather be appointed.

They observed that the restricted platforms created by the Electoral Commission for candidates contesting the district assemblies elections accounts for the lack of interest by the people unlike the general election.

The chiefs expressed reservations with the alignment of electoral areas, saying in some situations communities from different traditional areas find themselves in localities that pose problems for accountability.

GNA