Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, has tasked Presiding Members (PMs) to ensure that assembly members frequently tell the true story of the strength and weakness of assemblies to the ordinary person.

He said, through such interactions with the electorate, wide and diverse possibilities for the tapping of local talents, knowledge, human resource and skills to advance the cause of local programmes and socio-economic development would emerge.

“Such interaction will also create a congenial atmosphere for feedback from the electorate and government will be seen to be responsive to the socio-economic development needs of the people”.

Mr Terlabi was opening a two-day workshop in Koforidua on Monday for PMs on their role towards elections 2012.

He reminded them that decentralization and local government represents a constitutional and democratic order that made government a beneficiary of decentralized state power and authority.

Mr Terlabi indicated that every Ghanaian had the right and must be given the opportunity to be a constructive part of the solution to economic, political and social development of the country.

“These opportunities must however flow from good practices in the management of the affairs of the District Assemblies”, he added.

Mr Terlabi observed that as PMs who were responsible for the moderation of deliberations in the General Assembly, they have the arduous task of ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of the assemblies to meet the aspirations of the people.

He said it was therefore important for the assembly members to consult with their electorate and report back to them after general meetings so that they would be abreast with issues relating to their welfare.

“We can ensure accountability if there is regular consultation and active participation of the people in the decision making process and programme monitoring and evaluation”.

Mr Terlabi noted that the Government was not oblivious of the great contributions being made by PMs and assembly members towards the development of their respective districts and electoral areas.

In line with that, government has line up incentive packages for members of the assemblies to facilitate their jobs.

“It is in view of this that government has supplied motor bikes to assemblies to be distributed to assembly members”.

Mr Terlabi pleaded with PMs to establish a harmonious working relationship with their Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) and use appropriate means to resolve their differences so that when conflicts arise, they do not escalate and get into public domain.**