Interventions From Govt. Undermines The Authority Of Local Assemblies - Fmr. AMA Boss

A Former Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Nat Nunoo Amarteifio, says it is unfortunate that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has to be put in a position where they have to annul a decision taken. He is of the view that such interventions from government, undermines the authority of the local assemblies or the local government system in the country. The AMA has come under presidential pressure to overturn a decision taken by its men to rename the National Hockey Pitch after late President John Evans Atta Mills. The Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani summoned the Accra Mayor, Alfred Oko Vanderpuiye and asked him to rescind his decision because the presidency was not informed. �It is unfortunate when the AMA is put in a situation where their decision is overridden by the National Government. As a former Mayor of the City, I have always been aghast that government keeps talking about decentralisation but it�s very quick to stamp down on any initiative. It is unfortunate that they have to do this because it shrinks the ability of the Mayor to do his job effectively�� Mr Amarteifio noted on Citi FM's Eye witness news. The former AMA Boss however said in as much as it was unfortunate for government to intervene, he disagrees with the decision to change the name of the hockey pitch. According to him, women are mostly not given the due recognition in this country and so it was wrong to deprive Madam Theodosia Okoh that honour. �Women in this country are not honoured enough for the efforts that they make towards the nation�s development. Too often men find reasons to reward themselves with what they do and ignore women�s contributions. My reason for disagreeing with the decision is that it is displacing a woman who has done a lot for this country and who deserves the recognition. I think that women deserve recognition and if this is one of the few cases that we have been charitable enough to acknowledge the efforts of women, I don�t think we should be so ungrateful as to take it away,� he intimated.