Assembly Members Should Establish Public Affairs Secretariat To Enhance Information Flow - Fmr Local Gov't Min

A former Minister for Local Gov't and Rural Dev't, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has advised district assembly members to enhance information flow in their districts to whip up the interest of residents.

Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Samuel Ofosu Ampofo urged the assembly member-elects to set up and consolidate a Public Affairs Secretariat.

According to him, the establishment of a Public Affairs Secretariat in the various assemblies will promote transparency in the activities conducted by the assembly members.

He further called on the assembly members to “organize town hall meetings, regular community durbars and town hall meetings to meet with the people…when you do that and you do that continuous interaction with the community, the community will then appreciate the usefulness of the assembly concept. And when it comes to a situation like this, they will take it very serious because there will be regular information flow between the assembly; the governed and governed.”

To him, the country will record a high turnout of electorates during district assembly elections when there's effective communication and public education from the assemblies.

“I’ve been advocating that these assemblies must establish a very strong Public Affairs Secretariat in their districts, metropolis and municipalities so they can announce their activities for people to see the need to appreciate. Because when people appreciate the contribution and what the assembly is doing, they will participate in the elections.”

He also advocated that the assemblies set up Social Services Committee and Economic Development Committee to administer the affairs of the districts.