The Inauguration and Induction Ceremony of Assembly Members 0f The Shai-Osudoku District.
The Shai-Osudoku District Assembly in accordance with the Local Government Act has sworn in newly-elected Assembly Members, Government Appointees, and Unit Committee members for its first session of the Assembly.
The ceremony which took place at the forecourt of the Assembly on Thursday, 23rd January 2020, was graced by dignitaries such as the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Gloria Akuffo, Hon. Linda Akweley Ocloo, Member of Parliament, Hon Daniel Teye Akuffo, District Chief Executive, Her Worship Gloria Naa Bortor Laryea, District Magistrate Judge, Supt. Harrison Katso, District Police Commander, Benjamin Nargeh, NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Nene Ofosu Oblim II, Chairman for the occasion.
In his welcome address, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Daniel Akuffo, mentioned that the Assembly was dissolved in the latter part of 2019. Thus, following the successful conduct of the District Level Elections held on 17th December 2019 there has been an urgent need for this important occasion in order to ensure that, the Assembly does not operate in a vacuum which may have the tendency to affect decentralization and local governance efforts.
He also congratulated all the Assembly and Unit Committee Members on their victory and also took the opportunity to remind them that, they jointly have a mandate in our collective quest to develop the Shai-Osudoku District and have a huge responsibility on their hand as far as the work of the Assembly is concerned.
Delivering an address at the ceremony, Hon. Gloria Akuffo representing the President of the Republic of Ghana said the occasion marks another important milestone towards decentralization and local Governance objectives. Act 35/6 D of the constitution enjoins the state to promote popular participation in Governance by decentralizing the administrative and financial machinery of Government to the Regions and Districts and by affording all possible opportunities to the people to participate in decision making at every level in national life and in Government.
She further stated that the functions of this Assembly as provided for under section 12, 1 and 13 of the Local Governance Act,2016( ACT 936) include the formulation and the execution of plans, programs and strategies for the effective mobilization of resources for the overall development of the District. She mentioned that these functions were the reason why the gathering had met to inaugurate the Assembly. She congratulated all the elected Assembly and Unit Committees Members.
Furthermore, she said that ‘’I have in accordance with the constitution appointed Members put together with those elected and have the mandate to lead the development aspirations of your District. And together with your MMDCEs I charge you to advance the implementation of government programs in the Coordinated Program of Economic and Social Development Policies 2017/2024’’.
She urged the Assembly to be responsible for the development, improvement, and management of human settlements and the environs in the District. She stated that one major function of the Assembly is to explore avenues for the creation of employment, particularly for the Youth.
The third Assembly of the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly failed to elect a Presiding Member after two rounds of voting. The contestants, Hon. Godfred Ignatius Dordoe (candidate 1) and Hon. Jonathan Kwabla (candidate 2) both failed to obtain the two-thirds majority approval of 23 valid votes from the Assembly.
The first round saw two candidates contesting. Candidate 1, Godfred Ignatius Dordoe obtained fifteen (15) votes, Candidate 2, Jonathan Kwabla had eighteen (18) votes. Following this outcome, the second round was held and in the second round of the voting, the same results from the first round were repeated.
According to the Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Kofi Lettuce, constitutionally, re-elections for the Presiding Member position should be held within the next Ten (10) days. Presiding over the elections, the Electoral Commissioner indicated that the inaugural and swearing-in ceremony is in fulfillment of section 6 of section 18 of the Local Government Act, 2016 (ACT 936).
Source: ISD(SODA)
