259 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies were on the 12TH OF FEBRUARY, 2024 simultaneously inaugurated across the country out of 261 including South Tongu District. Designated Judges and Magistrates swore the newly elected, appointed Assembly members and their Presiding member into office. They swore the oath of office and secrecy but before swearing of oath, the Presiding member was elected by the Assembly members to be their leader in the Assembly meetings, all Assembly members and government appointee voted yes for her, (40 elected members and 18 appointees). The event was also in fulfilment of Article 35 clause (6d) of the 1992 constitution which enjoins the state to promote decentralization and popular participation in governance by affording all possible opportunities to the citizenry to participate in decision making at all levels of government.
In South Tongu Assembly, members elected Hon. Victoria Dzeklo as the Presiding member. The president’s address was read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hon. Mavis Nkansah-Boadu, some key highlights in the President’s address were or include.
“I am happy to join you through my able representatives, at this nationwide inauguration of District Assemblies, following the successful conduct of the District Level Election in December Last year. Let me congratulate all the elected Assembly and unit Committee Members for their success at the polls. I have also in accordance with the 1992 constitution of the Republic appointed 30 percent of Assembly Members who together with those elected, as well as your member (s) of Parliament and District Chief Executive constitute the membership of this Assembly. You, as Assembly Members, have the mandate to deliberate, mobilize resources, make decisions including by-laws to ensure the transformation of your District towards the Ghana we all want. Today’s occasion marks another important milestone towards deepening decentralization as stipulated in article35 Clause 6(d) of the 1992 constitution. Indeed, this Article enjoins the state to promote decentralization and popular participation in governance by affording all possible opportunities to the citizenry to participate in decision making at all levels of government. Let me also emphasize that good governance entails active participation of the citizenry in the development process. Consequently, your District Assembly must create platforms including town hall meetings, community durbars and deploy other digitalized citizens’ engagement tools to enhance the relationship between duty bearers and the citizens. In so doing, we give meaning to the provisions under section 40-48 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
Finally, let me remind you that your people require of you to; selflessness, devotion to duty, a very accountable stewardship and above all, your ability to articulate the people to guide the district development agenda and ultimately the quality of their livelihoods and wellbeing.
I wish you a successful tenure and I now have the pleasure to formally declare (South Tongu District Assembly) duly inaugurated.
Congratulations and may God Bless us all and make our Nation Great and Strong”.
The presiding member give her closing remarks and the assembly members called for Adjournment of the meeting, in all the ceremony was successful.
