Lack of commitment and dedication to the decentralisation processes at the local level will stall progress, growth and development of communities.

MacDonald Acquah, Executive Director of Boundless Consultancy Group, explained that chapter 20 of the 1992 Constitution reaffirmed the commitment and dedication to the decentralisation processes as stipulated by the Provisional National Defence Council Law 207.

He made the call when he addressed assembly members of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly in the Greater Region to educate, sensitise and create awareness on the decentralisation processes of the local governance system and stress management.

According to him, the decentralisation system started in the 1980s, encouraged successive governments to shift away from the de-concentration system to decentralisation so as to strengthen democratic governance at the local level to accelerate growth and development.
 

“The decentralisation system is to transfer or delegate some executive and legislative powers to the citizenry at the local level towards progress, growth, development, other administrative duties and state institutions such as the Regional Coordinating Councils, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and their chief executives among others, who are important state parastatals mandated to implement policies, programmes and social interventions from the government to the benefit of the people.
 

“You should uphold the authority of the assemblies and discharge your mandated duties as the law requires with efficiency and effectiveness for the communities to benefit and improve livelihoods,” Mr Acquah charged.
 

Dr Pascal Brenya, Life Coach and Human Capital Expert, schooled the participants on stress management and emotional intelligence and admitted that many public officers found it difficult to deal with stressful issues which later affected them as they performed their duties.
 

He revealed that 90 per cent of humans die out of stress-related issues, a situation which could be avoided by advising assembly members to associate themselves with people who would help them make the right decisions in the discharge of their duties by giving what they had.
 

“Taking in a deep breath during a stressful situation will help curb or minimise the fatal impact on the individual which must encourage you to take your health seriously,” he said.