50 Assembly Members assisted with Motorbikes

25-10-2011         

Government through the effort of the Local Government Ministry has procured and handed over 50 brand new motorbikes to appointed and elected Assembly Members in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region. At a brief ceremony held at Tongo, the District Chief Executive, Vivian Anarfo told Radio Ghana that the presentation of the Motorbikes will help facilitate the work of the assembly members in their respective communities. This, she said, was in partial fulfillment of government’s promise to promoting accountable governance through the involvement of the people at the grassroot level. She hinted that members of the assembly were the first in the region to benefit from the gesture, which according to her, was an ample indication that government is always ready to heed to their request. Mrs. Anarfo therefore commended government for the great effort and cautioned beneficiary assembly members to live above maintenance culture in ensuring that the motorbikes are used for their intended purposes.   She cautioned against drunk driving and over speeding, which she observed could result in accidents. The Information Minister, John Tia Akologo who was present at the occasion said the presentation of the motorbikes goes to reinforce the President’s’ commitment to deepening democracy in the country, because it will facilitate easy interaction between the assembly members and their electorates as well as the assembly itself. Taking into consideration their role in the country’s democratic dispensation and their contribution towards ensuring the policy of decentralization, the assembly members will now feel the importance, government attaches to their core responsibilities, adding that policy of decentralization is thus being push further and that government is well focused and is highly determined to give the district assemblies the much needed support to deliver. The presentation, he reiterated, was one of the surest ways government could bring about a change in ensuring grassroot participation at all levels. He pointed out that the recent creation of new districts and municipalities by the Local Government Ministry even illustrate government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens participate in the governance system of the country. He said though the move created mixed reactions among some section of the public, government is on top of issues and will do everything humanly possible to bring governance to the doorstep of the citizenry. The presentation of the motorbikes and the creation of the new districts, he narrated, is a major achievement in the government system over and above our neigbouring countries in the sub-region. He advised the beneficiaries to be worthy ambassadors of their electorates and the government and charged them to take proper care of the motorbikes to help prolong their lifespan. He urged the assembly members to work collaboratively to support government in its quest to promoting accountable governance. The Presiding Member for the assembly, James Konzabre on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude and appreciation to the government and pledged to take good care of the motorbikes.

GBC                                                        END                                                          IA/