The Assembly member for the Ahoroso/Odumase Electoral Area at Agona Kwanyako in the Agona East District of the Central Region, Benjamin Sackey has lauded the president’s announcement of giving every assembly member GH 1,300.00 Cedis every month as a means of supporting them in their activities of serving their communities.
The president, John Dramani Mahama made this announcement during his state of the nation address since he took over as president.
Prior to his announcement, Assembly members were receiving only allowances during sitting, according to the Local Government concept, a situation most people, even including non Assembly members have lamented against on the grounds that Assembly members suffer a lot, as they are the first point of call by the community.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaNews on the announcement, the Assembly member, Benjamin Sackey described the president’s announcement as a welcome development, as according to him, it will go a long way not only in the area of providing petty developmental projects in their areas, but also help ease the burden of demands of financial assistance by members of the community.
An electrician by profession, Benjamin Sackey disclosed that sometimes he has to use his own resources to cart refuse in his area to the designated dumping site anytime the refuse container is full or when the Assembly’s refuse truck develops a fault.
He further disclosed that he used his own resources, and with the support of the District Assembly refurbished the dilapidated toilet facility in his area.
According to him, Assembly member work demands a lot of commitment and character of servitude, and has therefore advised all would-be Assembly members to bear that in mind before deciding to contest for the position.
He also called for the depolitization of Assembly elections to allow the electorates elect people who have the heart to serve to represent them at the Assembly.
By Robert Ayanful