The Deputy Minister for Communication and Digitalization, Ama Pomaa Boateng, has charged the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) to adopt the Open Government Partnership (OGP) as a way to deepen decentralization and ensure participatory governance.
Speaking as the President’s representative at the inauguration of the 8th Assembly and the swearing-in of Assembly members in Obuasi, Madam Pomaa Boateng said the OGP tool when used will enable Assembly members connect effectively with their electorates.
The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from national and sub-national governments to promote open government, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
It hinges on the principle of central and local governments being more open, accessible, responsive and accountable to their citizens.
This is aimed at building confidence among duty bearers and the governed, engender broader participation in decision making at all levels and ensure transparency government dealings.
According to the Deputy Minister of Communication and Digitalization, though elements of the OGP are being implemented at the local level through durbars and community engagements, it was imperative to leverage on technology to bring governance closer to the people.
She charged the MCE and the Member of Parliament to lead this charge and adopt the digital platform which will enable Assembly members relate with their electorates, communicate with them and render accountability to them.
Capacity building
Ama Pomaa Boateng, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Juaben Constituency in the Ashanti Region, proposed that one of the key ways to strengthen the local governance system is to build the capacity of Assembly members.
Reacting to calls for the local government system to be strengthened and be more effective, the MP said taking Assembly members through leadership training will equip them with the basic skills to lead their electorates and exercise their responsibilities effectively.
“I encourage the Assembly to invest in building the capacity of the Assembly members. I am convinced once they learn the basic rudiments of leadership, they will be able to function optimally at the local level.”
Need for collaboration
The Chief of Dompoase in the Ashanti Region, Okofo Kwabena Bonsu I, who was the chairman of the occasion, advised the Assembly members to collaborate effectively with their Member of Parliament, MCE and Nananom.
He again lamented on the excessive politicization of the Assembly, calling on the newly sworn-in Assembly members to eschew that.
The Member of Parliament for the Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng, and the Chief Executive for the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, both seized the opportunity to congratulate the Assembly members and admonished them to put the interest of their electorates ahead and above all other considerations.
Thirty Assembly members made up of 19 elected and 11 appointees were sworn into office.
The Assembly members were made to swear oath of office, oath of secrecy and oath of allegiance which were supervised by His worship Michael Ampadu, the Magistrate of the Obuasi Circuit Court.
Election of Presiding Member
The Assembly member for Bogobiri Electoral Area, James Adaboh, was elected Presiding Member for the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.
He polled 20 votes as against 8 votes secured by his only contender David Odoom
