Accra, March 14, GNA - Government has debunked media reports that its appointment to the District Assemblies has been over-bloated ostensibly to give advantage to Government.

A statement signed by Mr Samuel Ofusu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, copied to GNA on Monday, reminded Ghanaians that Article 242 of the 1992 Constitution has specified the membership of the District Assemblies.

It said these include one person from each elected local government electoral area within the district elected by universal adult suffrage, and Member or Members of Parliament (MPs) from the constituencies that fall within the area of authority of the District Assembly as members without the right to vote.

The statement also mentioned 93the District Chief Executive of the District and other members not being more than thirty per cent of all members of the District Assembly appointed by the President in consultation with Chiefs and other interest groups in the district."

It said Government appreciated the concern raised and assured stakeholders that nothing untoward would be done to derail the Local Government system that Ghanaians have painstakingly toiled to develop. The statement said the formula for calculating the 30 per cent Government appointees is: 9330/70 X No. Of Assembly Members (Elected Persons + MMDCE + MP or MPs as the case may be."