This, he said, would avert leadership gaps that threaten effective local governance.
He said the absence of PMs in Assemblies was not merely an administrative gap but a fundamental governance challenge that impeded effective decision making, development planning and service delivery at the local level.

Mr. Asiedu Adjei made the call in an interaction with some journalists in Accra.
He explained that as the country transitioned into a new government under President John Dramani Mahama, it was critical to uphold the integrity and functionality of local governance structures by ensuring that all Assemblies have duly elected PMs where vacancies existed.

The NALAG President stated that although the December 2023 district level elections brought in a new cohort of Assembly members who were sworn into office, many Assemblies have since struggled to elect PMs due to disagreements and the inability to reach a consensus.
He explained that some Assemblies that previously had PMs had also been affected following the revocation of positions held by government appointees thereby compounding the leadership crisis in those districts.

"With new government appointees expected to be sworn in soon under the current administration, it is imperative that affected Assemblies prioritize the election of PMs immediately," he stressed.

Mr Asiedu Adjei noted that local governance operated within a structured framework where the general assembly under the leadership of a PM played a crucial role in policy formulation, budget approval and oversight of the Executive Committee.

He added that without a PM work at the Assemblies would remain stagnant and were unable to effectively discharge their statutory functions.

Mr Asiedu Adjei intimated that the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) was contingent on the presence of a PM, indicating that any delays in the election could paralyze administrative leadership and hinder development efforts in the affected districts.

"At this crucial juncture, as we await the appointment of new government representatives by the President, I strongly urge all Assemblies facing this challenge to rise above differences, foster dialogue and expedite the election of their PMs,” he advised.

The NALAG President underscored the importance of a fully functional Assembly for the success of the country's decentralized governance system, adding that political disagreements or internal conflicts should not be allowed to obstruct governance at the grassroots level.

"The development of our communities and the well-being of our citizens depend on effective leadership and seamless administrative processes," he stated.

Mr. Asiedu Adjei therefore appealed to all stakeholders, including elected Assembly members, government appointees, traditional authorities and Civil Society Organizations to recognize the urgency of the matter and collaborated to ensure that the Assemblies were fully operational.

"Local governance is the backbone of national development and a well-structured, fully functional Assembly is essential for policy implementation and service delivery.

"Let us work together to uphold the principles of decentralization, ensure the smooth operation of our Assemblies and reinforce the democratic foundations of our nation," he stressed.

Mr Asiedu Adjei pointed out that through unity and cooperation, Ghana could strengthen its local
governance structures and pave the way for sustainable development in all parts of the country.