Obrempong Dr. Yeboah Asamoah, the Paramount Chief of the Atebubu Traditional Area in the Bono East Region, has called for an effective collaboration between local authorities and traditional authorities to facilitate the progressive development of the nation.
As the embodiment of the people, he said a strong collaboration between chiefs, queens, and the local authorities remained crucial for effective decision-making that would translate into development.
Obrempong Dr Asamoah made the call in an address at the opening session of the 22nd Biennial National Delegates Conference of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) in Sunyani.
The conference, on the theme “Empowering Local Governance: A New Dawn for Electoral Area Development,” brought together representatives from all various metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies. The conference provided a common platform for stakeholders to discuss and identify strategies for empowering local government and promoting electoral area development.
Obrempong Dr. Asamoah indicated that chiefs and queens remained integral components in decision-making at all levels, from national to regional and to the community levels, saying that with their active involvement in the development process, they would be in a better position to revive the ancient and declining communal labour spirit of Ghanaians. That would further strengthen unity and promote all-inclusiveness in the development process.
“The call for collaboration and partnership between local authorities and traditional authorities is also a significant step towards promoting peaceful Election 2024 and strengthening local government systems too,” he stated.
Mr. Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, the President of the NALAG, said strengthened local government systems and structures would facilitate accelerated national development.
He urged the participants to re-energize their commitment to decentralization, empowering local authorities to serve as change agents and promote development, saying prioritising electoral area development remained a key strategy in pushing national development. Mr Agyemang-Prempeh also underlined the need to strengthen the capacities of local assemblies to improve efficiency, thereby fostering strong partnerships.