AMA, KMA leadership have failed Ghanaians- Kyei-Baffour

A local governance expert, and former president of the National Association of Local Authorities in Ghana (NALAG), Mr. George Kyei-Baffour has chastised the leadership of the Accra, Tema and Kumasi Metropolitan Assemblies for what he describes as their poor performance since assuming office.

Mr Kyei-Baffour cites the poor coordination between the Assemblies, their Regional Coordinating Councils and the local government ministry, leading to the increased agitation and apathy among residents in those metropolises, as a prime example of this failure.

Mr. Kyei-Baffour was speaking Monday on Adom FM’s “Dea Mehunu” programme, which was also broadcast live on Asempa FM.

He insisted that the Mayor of Accra, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, that of Tema, Mr. Robert Kempes Ofosuware and the recently nominated Mayor of Kumasi, Mr. Kojo Bonsu have exhibited gross incompetence in the management of the developmental issues in their areas thereby putting more pressure on the central government.

He accused Mr. Kojo Bonsu, who is reported to have put up gigantic billboards across the city of Kumasi, of engaging in populist activities which will not benefit the people of the metropolis.

The 5×10 feet-size billboards, with the inscription: “Asanteman Welcomes Mayor Kojo Bonsu,” and bearing his large portraits, have not only announced his presence with a big bang in the metropolis, but also set tongues wagging.

The billboards are strategically dotted across the city in areas such as Santasi road, Airport roundabout, Fumesua railway line and Suame, among other areas.

The local governance expert noted that the inability of the Mayor of Accra, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye to find a lasting solution to the activities of hawkers in the metropolis is a sign of failure.

Meanwhile, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh has expressed worry at the inability of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives to properly undertake the tenets of the local governance system, forcing government to intervene at the local level to undertake development projects.

Ameyaw-Cheremeh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East has therefore called on the assemblies to make good use of the Common Fund and draw up forward-looking programmes and projects.