NALAG COMMUNIQUE AT THE 20TH BIENNIAL NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE

The National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has endorsed the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) on partisan basis.

The recommendation was contained in a communique the Association issued after its 20th Biennial National Delegate’s Conference in Sunyani, which was signed by its General Secretary, Mr Kokro Amankwah.

Theme

This year’s conference was held on the theme: “Ghana beyond Aid; a paradigm shift for Sustainable Development, the role of Local Authorities”.

It was a platform for discussions on a number of issues in line with achieving the sustainable goals.

“NALAG endorses the proposed referendum for the election of MMDCEs on partisan bases and calls on all Ghanaians to embrace it,” the communique said.

Other recommendations

dlRev Software

The communique also recommended that all MMDAs should take advantage of the free dLRev software that was jointly developed by GIZ/MLGRD to automate their revenue collection process to improve Internally Generated Funds (IGF).

On capacity building, it said NALAG will capacitate its members to mobilize enough resources and use significant proportion of their IGF for capital projects.

Citizen Participation

MMDAs should deepen their engagement with their citizens and other stakeholders on all activities of the assembly.

Local Economic development

On local economic development, the communique said NALAG will vociferously lead the campaign in mainstreaming local economic development by developing strategies for effective resource mobilization.

With regard to waste management, NALAG agreed that MMDAs should enter into Public Private Partnership with service providers in waste and sanitation management to adopt modern ways of managing waste, including recycling plants to ensure sustainability, cleanliness and healthy society.

Women participation

Furthermore, it called on MMDAs to empower more women to participate effectively in the upcoming local-level election to enhance gender equality in the local government system.

Climate Change

It concluded by calling on the government to see to the full implementation of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) on climate adaptation to increase climate resilience and decrease vulnerability to enhance sustainable development.