Apam (C/R), Aug 30, GNA - Miss Joyce Aidoo, the Gomoa District Chief Executive, has called for amendment of the provision in the 1992 Constitution that requires that the Presiding Member shall be elected by at least two-thirds majority of all the members of the assembly. Miss Aidoo said the provision should be amended to make election of a Presiding Member either by simple majority or two-thirds of members present and voting.

She said the provision was putting much stress on the resources of the assemblies that at times called more than necessary meetings before such elections were effected especially when some of the assembly members did not attend meetings.

The DCE made the suggestion at a workshop organised by Gomoa District Assembly for Sub-Committee Members on Local Government Administration at Apam.

Miss Aidoo appealed to the members to ensure that their fundamental role as watchdogs of good governance was never compromised and said, "by so doing you would have empowered yourselves as guardians and protectors of the emerging democracy in the country."

Mr. Eric Akobeng, the District Budget Analyst, said non-functioning of the sub-district structures, that is Town/Area/Zonal Councils and Unit Committees, affected good governance and sustainable development at the district level.

He attributed the problem to inadequate funding, lack of logistics and lack of political will and urged the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to make the assemblies to come out with strategies to make the sub-district structures operational.

Mr Akobeng said to avoid duplication and uncoordinated programmes it was necessary that departments and organisations submitted their revenue and expenditure estimates for inclusion in the assembly's annual budget.

Mr. Fred Oscar Abban, the Acting Presiding Member, said the Development Planning Sub-Committee should identify the economic resources and potentials of the district and develop an information base on them.

He appealed to the members to work harder to help the people of the district come out of poverty, disease and ignorance.