Assembly members will be paid allowances, not salary - Rita Sowah explains

The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs designate, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has explained that the money President John Mahama promised to pay assembly members is not salary, but allowances.

She said it was only a form of support for assembly members as some of them were already working and, therefore, on salaries.

She said the allowance would help them in their work, particularly in less endowed districts where resources were scarce.

Ms Sowah, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Dadekotopon, gave the explanation during her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament last Friday (February 28).

She was responding to a question asked by the Former Minister of Local Government and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, regarding the promise made by President Mahama to pay assembly members allowances.

Context

President Mahama, delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament last Thursday (February 27), reiterated his commitment to paying modest allowances to assemblymen and women, a promise he made during his campaign.

The announcement has sparked discussion about the practicality of providing allowances to assembly members, with some arguing that it may not be the most effective way to support local governance. 

Optimism

However, Ms Sowah remained optimistic that the allowance would make a positive impact, and that it would be followed by support for unit committee members.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs designate also emphasised that the allowance would be the same across the board, ensuring that all assembly members receive equal support.

When asked if the allowance would be monthly,  Ms Sowah believed it would be, but promised to confirm with her minister.

“Like the President rightly said, he is going to give allowance to assembly members. And to your question, assembly members, some of them are salaried workers.

And when it comes to some communities outside my constituency, as a typical example, the work there is enormous for even the assembly members.”

“And so, they need resources to support them in their work, even as much as the unit committee members,” she said.

Elections of MMDCEs

Ms Sowah also shed light on the government's plan to elect Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

She emphasised that the Constitutional Review Committee would take a critical look at the proposal and develop modalities for its implementation.

This move is in line with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto promise to elect MMDCEs when voted into power.

President Mahama, during his State of the Nation Address, also indicated his government's willingness to make the necessary changes to elect MMDCEs on a non-partisan basis.