Mpraeso, Feb. 27, GNA - The Chairman of the Eastern Regional Presiding Members Association (ERPMA), Ms Beatrice B. Boateng, has called on District Chief Executives and Presiding Members to bury their differences to ensure effective decentralization.

She said since the district assemblies have a major role to play in the decentralization process, there should be mutual co-operation between DCEs and Presiding Members to enhance development.

Ms Boateng, who was addressing the eighth meeting of the Association hosted by the Kwahu South District Assembly at Mpraeso on Thursday, noted that the assemblies would not get the needed co-operation from the technocrats if there were no cordial relationship between the two officials.

Ms Boateng who is also the Presiding Member of the New Juaben Municipal Assembly urged Assembly Members to educate qualified voters to register when the exercise opens next month to enable them to exercise their franchise in this year's Presidential and Parliamentary elections. In an address read on behalf of the Kwahu South District Chief Executive, Mr Raymond Osafo Djan, he said even though the decentralization programme was implemented 16 years ago, a critical appraisal had not been encouraging.

He said since the assemblies are the highest political, legislative and administrative bodies in their respective areas, they should maintain close and cordial relationship with other stakeholders such as Chiefs, DCES, MPs and staff of the assembly to promote development.

The DCE advised them to use their influence as opinion leaders to champion policies, programmes and issues to enhance democracy.