Saltpond (C/R), Nov. 1, GNA 96 Assembly members have been reminded that the decentralization policy was not adopted to usurp the powers of traditional authorities, neither was it intended to push traditional authorities to the periphery of the local administrative system.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, Mfantseman District Chief Executive, who made the point noted that traditional authorities, unit committees and town/area councils constituted the epicentre of grassroots participation, without which local governance would be meaningless. He gave the reminder at the inauguration of a reconstituted Mfantseman District Assembly at Saltpond on Monday.

The DCE cautioned against struggle between assembly members, chiefs and queen mothers as to who wielded the most power and authority. =93The District Assembly concept is to democratize state power in a manner that would create opportunities for the majority of Ghanaians to take part in decision making=94, he stated.

=93Therefore by virtue of your election as assembly members you constitute the decision making body of the Mfantseman District=94. The DCE urged them to keep constant touch with their electorate in order to be able to present their views, opinions and proposals to the Assembly and in turn provide the electorate with feed-back on decisions of the Assembly.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur expressed concern about the recurrence of cholera in the District and said 93it is very demeaning of a District such as ours to be associated with these diseases=94 and urged members to educate the people on the importance of cleanliness.

Mr George Kuntu Blankson, MP for Mfantseman West advised the members against introducing partisan politics into the work of the Assembly since it would undermine it unity of purpose.

Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, MP for Bantama and a Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing inaugurated the Assembly on behalf of President John Agyekum Kufuor, while Mr Kwaku Aboagye, District Magistrate administered the oaths of secrecy and office to the assembly members.