The North East Gonja District Assembly on Monday February 12, 2024 inaugurated 12 Assembly members after a successful elections of the district Assembly, Presiding and Unit Committee members December last year.
The ceremony was also the Second Assembly meeting of the North East Gonja District Assembly.
The district chief executive for North East Gonja Hon. Mohammed Musah Tindawu in his welcome address at the confirmation of the newly elected Assembly members, expressed worry about the inadequacy of the International Generated Funds (IDF) of the baby district, adding that as newly elected Assembly members they must come out with more realistic innovative strategies in collaboration with the management of the district Assembly to be able to mobilize adequate revenue to complete the efforts of the central government.
“It’s our duty to also ensure that funds provided by the central government and the ones generated internally are well managed. The success of North East Gonja District Assembly will largely depend on the level of operation between Assembly members and the district chief executive as well as other management staff in the discharge of your functions as honerable Assembly members”, Tindawu stated.
The DCE also indicated that to work successful to bring development to their people, they must be a leader to lead them and that will be someone to lead them and is presiding member who can lead and unite the house especially in difficult tasks.
He used the occasion to congratulate all elected members and assured them of his support as the DCE to drive the developmental agenda of the people.
The president representative at the inaugural ceremony who is also the deputy minister for energy, Andrew Egyapa Mercer said the occasion marks yet another milestone towards deepening decentralization as in article 35 C6 of the 1992 constitution which enjoins the state to promote decentralization and popular participation in governance by forming all positlble opportunities for citizenry to participate in decision making at all levels for government.
Mr. Agapa said the leadership challenges at the district level are enonymouse and complex, therefore members of the Assembly are mandated to maintain close contact with the electoral area, consult the people on the issues to be discussed in the district Assembly, collate their views and opinions and also take part in communal development activities.
He also urged members to be guided by the laws to avoid unneeded conflict with their district chief executive, and religious leaders.
The confirmation of the new Assembly members was coupled with the election of the Presiding member.
Yahaya Mohammed Shani and Abdulai Fuseini contested for the presiding member position and Yahaya Mohammed Shani at the close of polls gained 11 votes out of a total of 17 votes representing 64.7% while Abdulai Fuseini had only 5 votes, representing 29.4%.
Yahaya Mohammed Shani was declared the presiding member for North East Gonja District Assembly to lead the house.
Total of 17 votes cast include 6 members from each party, the district chief executive and 4 appointees while one vote was rejected.
In his address the presiding member, Yahaya Mohammed Shani, noted that there is a bigger tasks ahead of them and all must join hands and collectively they will manage the affairs of the house.
They were sworn into office by Lawyer Isaac Ankah, Assistant state Arthony. Office of the Arthony General, ministry of Justice.
Story by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru/Spear fm
