Assembly Members numbering up to 200 from various Electoral Areas across the Upper East Region have declared their support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of this year’s election.
The Assembly Members who have formed a group called the Coalition of Concerned Assembly Members of Ghana said their decision is an endorsement of the NDC 2020 manifesto which according to them promises to bring development to Ghanaians.
A Convener of the group, Aloysius Anyiam, made this known in an interview on A1 Radio.
“People should appreciate the fact that when a political party says something that will bring benefits to the people of Ghana, one can endorse it in boldness and confidence and that would not make such a person a member of that particular political party.”
The three months old group said it has skimmed through the 2020 manifesto of the NDC and realized that the party has promised to increase District Assembly Common Fund from the present 5% to 7.5, if re-elected come December 7.
“Remember that the District Assemblies Common Fund was 7% that was later reduced to 5% and if we have a promise from the NDC saying that it will push it from the present 5% to 7.5 even more than what it used to be. It is only proper to support such a party because the fact of the matter is that. Look right now there are a lot of amenities that are needed in various electoral areas.”
“They (District Assemblies) cannot perform because of inadequate funds so, if you have a government that will give you enough for development and then to makes sure that certain strategic needs are met, of course, we will support such a party.” Mr. Anyiam said.
He continued that “The issue of free Primary Health care is key because it will help ease even the financial burden on assembly members and makes life easier for the ordinary Ghanaians especially those in the rural areas. What will benefit our electoral areas is key to us and our people?”
Asked whether the group has endorsements from various Assemblies or Presiding Members, Mr. Anyiam said it does not need the endorsement from any Presiding Member.
“We do not need any endorsement from any Presiding Member or Assembly to form any group. We are guardians and at any point in time, once you are forming a group that will not lead to chaos in society, to cause trouble. You do not need the assemblies to endorse the formation of any group. Your intention is not for war.
We have membership drawn from all assemblies across the region. Also, since we are not looking at doing things in any specific or any particular assembly, we don’t need a Presiding Member to say I give you my blessing.”
Mr. Anyiam, therefore, called on all assembly members to join the group call to support the NDC; saying the party appreciates the responsibilities of assembly members and their roles as agents of development in their respective electoral areas.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Moses Apiah/Ghana
