The three day programme was meant to acquaint Assembly Members with new laws and policies, and topical issues in the local governance sphere. Some of the modules delivered included The Local Governance Act 2016 – ACT 936, Status of Local Government and Decentralisation in Ghana, Resource Mobilization and Financial Management ( Sources of Funds to the Assembly, Financial Management of the Assembly, Composite Budget Development, Development of Annual Action Plans, Requirements under DDF/UGD( FOAT), GIFMIS Accounting, The PFM Act and its Implications for MMDAs, The Capping of the DACF and its effect on District Assembly Management, New Government Interventions (i.e. One District, One Factory, One Million, One Constituency) and its effect on the DACF formula, New Fee Fixing and Revenue Mobilization Manual, The Revised Composite Budget Manual and Programme Budget among others.
The MCE, Hon Felix Nii Anang La in his opening remarks thanked the Centre and the facilitators for taking the time to deliver this training. He stated that the programme had been organized in order to ensure optimum efficiency of assembly members in the district. He added that the assembly has found it necessary to provide opportunities to constantly refresh the minds of assembly members and improve their skills and knowledge on issues related to the job. He admonished participants to make the best out of the training programme.
Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, lead facilitator during his presentation stated that local authorities are significant, not only as the mainstay of basic services but also in the growth of communities. He indicated that there is the need for effective and efficient use of resources to ensure that Assemblies enhance the quality of life of the communities they serve. He added that “The role of assembly members in local government cannot be overlooked; they are the pivot around which the decentralization process revolves”.
The three day event which was held at Kesdem Hotel in Tema attracted over fifty (50) Assembly Members and officers of the assembly.
Other trainers at the programme included the Deputy Executive Director of the CLGA, Hon Gladys Gillian Naadu Tetteh, who was once an Assemblywoman and a Presiding Member of the Adentan Municipal Assembly. She brought her experience to bear in her presentation and reminded Assembly Members to undertake their roles effectively and efficiently, and follow religiously what the law mandates them to do. She admonished Assembly Members to channel their energies into developing their communities and desist from all acts that soil their reputation as honourables.
At the end of the session, participants were awarded certificates for their participation. Participants expressed great satisfaction for the learning opportunity and the comprehensive nature of the training. Some participants were of the view that such trainings be organized annually for Assembly Members to keep them abreast with new developments pertaining to local government administration so that they can strategize to assist in the realization of the best form of local governance and decentralization.