The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, has issued a strong appeal to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to set aside their political differences and collaborate for the accelerated development of their respective communities.
Mr. Amoakohene made the call on Monday, October 6, 2025, in an interview with the Parliamentary Press Corps during a public sitting of Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee.
The Committee had reconvened after a two-week break, with the Ashanti Region presenting reports from its 43 Assemblies for internal audit review.
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Addressing the media, the Minister described the persistent tensions between MPs and DCEs as a significant impediment to effective local governance.
He attributed the recurring conflicts to past electoral hostilities, particularly in areas where a DCE may have contested and narrowly lost against the sitting MP, or where there were confrontations during the last elections.
These rivalries, he lamented, often translate into subtle administrative sabotage and a refusal to work together on crucial development projects. He cited instances where district officials either feign ignorance of Assembly initiatives or deliberately delay the approval of committee funds meant for MPs.
“In some districts, because they don’t understand each other, they either pretend they are not aware of initiatives coming from the Assemblies or they deliberately delay the approval of Assembly Committee funds meant for MPs,” he stressed.
Mr. Amoakohene emphasized that for local governance to succeed, harmony among all stakeholders is paramount. “For local governance to work, we need to carry along all the stakeholders — MPs, DCEs, chiefs, and assembly members. We need to move together if we want to develop our towns and communities,” he urged.
The Regional Minister also took the opportunity to counter recent media narratives suggesting a lack of government commitment in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
He argued that the current government, led by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has demonstrated the strongest good faith in tackling the menace.
He pointed to decisive actions taken by the administration, including the non-negotiable directive to halt all mining activities in forest reserves, irrespective of whether the miners held valid licenses.
“We have had a President who has said that forest reserves are no-go areas for mining. Whether you have a license or not, we are clearing everyone from those reserves. That is a clear demonstration of commitment,” he asserted.
According to Mr. Amoakohene, enforcement mechanisms and governmental responsiveness to media exposés have also seen significant improvement. “Now, whenever the media brings up issues, authorities move quickly to address them. That shows collaboration and commitment,” he added.