GAAM hails Dr Bawumia’s Electoral Area Share of Common Fund proposal

The Greater Accra Associa­tion of Assembly Members (GAAM), has welcomed the intention of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to institute an Electoral Area Share of the Common Fund (EASCF) for assembly members, if he becomes president.

The flagbearer during the party’s manifesto launch in Takoradi, in the Western Region, outlined key initiatives, including EASCF, to en­able assembly members to facilitate development at the electoral area level.

At a press conference in Accra, Thursday, the Secretary of the GAAM, Alfred Asiedu Adjei, said Dr Bawumia’s proposal was timely and essential for accelerated devel­opment of communities.

According to the Secretary of GAAM, assembly members were the cornerstone of local gover­nance and for Ghana to progress, it was important to empower the local areas with the necessary tools to drive progress.

“We are on the ground, directly engaging with the communities we serve. We listen to the concerns of our constituents, mediate conflicts, mobilise resources, and initiate de­velopment projects. The demands on our time, energy, and resources are immense, yet the resources allocated to us are not enough,” Mr Adjei said.

He said the EASCF was a game-changer and would increase autonomy in project implementa­tion, by empowering as­sembly members to have greater control over the allocation and utilisation of funds, enabling them to prioritise and execute projects that directly ad­dress the specific needs of their electoral areas.

Mr Adjei said such move would also enhanced ac­countability and transparency while strengthening leadership and influ­ence by making assembly members key players in the development process at the grassroots.

“The consistent and predictable flow of funds will enable assem­bly members to plan and execute long-term projects, contributing to sustained development rather than relying on ad-hoc funding,” Mr Adjei stated,

He said the allocation of funds would not only benefit the assembly members, but also the communities through economic empowerment and enable commu­nity members engaged in gover­nance, fostering a stronger sense of ownership and participation in local development.

Mr Adjei praised the Akufo-Ad­do/Bawumia administration for the significant strides made in strengthening local governance and empowering local authori­ties, especially in the area of the District Road Improvement Pro­gramme (DRIP), which aimed at expanding road network coverage, increase accessibility, enhance mobility, and improve economic activities at the local level.

He thus, called on all assembly members across the country to rally behind the initiative and urged them to work together to ensure that the policy becomes a reality.

 BY VIVIAN ARTHUR