Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu has called for urgent interventions to address the challenges faced by Unit Committee members across the country.
According to her, the critical role of these grassroots officials in Ghana’s local governance structure cannot be taken for granted and urged the government to take immediate action.
In a statement she read on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, February 19, Hon. Elikplim Akurugu stressed the importance of the Unit Committees in Ghana’s decentralization framework, highlighting their role in community engagement, mobilization, and policy implementation.
She, however, lamented the various obstacles hindering their effectiveness.
She said, “The Unit Committee is the foundation of our local governance system, yet its members continue to face serious challenges that affect their ability to serve effectively,” she stated.
The concerns of Unit Committee members, as presented in a petition to Hon. Elikplim Akurugu, include a lack of empowerment, low recognition and remuneration, neglect by the central government, inadequate training opportunities, and conflicts with Zonal Councils.
According to her, Unit Committee members feel disempowered due to their limited authority in decision-making processes and called on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs to establish clear guidelines that would enhance their roles in governance.
“The members have expressed frustration over their lack of recognition and financial incentives, which has negatively impacted their morale and commitment,” she noted. She urged the government to implement a structured remuneration framework to reward their contributions.
According to Hon. Akurugu, many Unit Committee members feel abandoned by the central government due to poor communication, limited funding, and exclusion from key policy discussions.
“They are calling for amendments to existing laws to ensure greater inclusiveness in decision-making and stronger engagement with the central government,” she said.
The lawmaker also stressed the need for structured training programs tailored to Unit Committee members. She proposed capacity-building initiatives focusing on governance, project management, conflict resolution, and community mobilization.
Hon. Akurugu pointed out that tensions between Unit Committees and Zonal Councils have disrupted community development efforts and to address this, she suggested regular dialogue sessions to promote cooperation and coordination.
She made a strong call for reform, stating that addressing these challenges would significantly improve local governance and enhance community development stating, “Mr. Speaker, empowering Unit Committee members is essential to strengthening our democracy and ensuring that governance truly works for the people at the grassroots level,” she affirmed.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com