Mr Phanuel Donkor Kadey, Adaklu District Chief Executive has debunked suggestions that the absence of a Presiding Member (PM) is hampering the smooth running of the Assembly.

The Assembly, since its inauguration on January 23, 2020 had on two occasions failed to elect a PM, during, which Rev. Fred Agbogbo and Mr. Phanuel Kudi, the two Members contesting the position garnered nine and eleven votes respectively.

Rev Agbogbo, the immediate past PM of the Assembly and Assemblyman for Ablornu Electoral Area told the Ghana News Agency the PM served as the "check and balance" of the Assembly, and is a position that could not be left void.

“Crucial meetings to deliberate on the business of the Assembly cannot be held because there is no Presiding Member,” he said.

Mr Samuel Atormy Dorfe, Assemblyman for Torda Electoral Area shared the same sentiments and said the issue must be addressed in time for the Assembly to function well.

But the District Chief Executive said the Assembly was functioning well administratively.

"Just look at this, in the first quarter of last year when we had a Presiding Member, we realised GHC 47, 156.00 as IGF and for the first quarter of this year, 2020, when we don't have a Presiding Member, we generated GHC 83,410.00. This is about 77 per cent increase so we are doing well," Mr Kadey said.

He said the annual action plan for 2020 was approved by the previous Assembly and in motion, thus, the failure to elect a PM was not affecting the smooth running of the Assembly.

Mr Kadey said the Assembly constituted sub-committees, which were holding regular meetings and that the only hindrance was the ban on social gathering to contain COVID19, for which reason they could not hold General Assembly Meetings.

He said but for the ban, the District Coordinating Director, who was Secretary to the General Assembly could summon General Meeting to be presided over by any member chosen at the meeting in line with provisions in the Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936 and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies' Model Standing Orders.

The DCE was hopeful that when the ban on public gatherings was lifted, the Assembly would meet to elect a PM.

The Adaklu Assembly has 19 members made up of 13 elected and six government appointees.