COMMUNIQUE – 14th June 2019 NALAG 20TH Biennial National Delegates Conference

The 20th National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana held in Sunyani, Bono Region from the 12-15 June 2019 under the theme: Ghana Beyond Aid: a paradigm shift for Sustainable Development, the role of Local Authorities to depict the critical role that NALAG will play to ensure that the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies are the main actors in the socio-economic development of Ghana.
NALAG is fully committed to support and implement Government policy of Ghana Beyond Aid and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals thereby reducing extreme poverty in all its forms, reduce inequality as well as sustain prosperity for all. NALAG commits to ensuring that all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies address these responsibilities for self-reliance and dedication with the focus of developing Ghana with its own resources.

The conference was attended by delegates from all the sixteen regions of Ghana, Traditional authorities from the Sunyani municipality, development partners including The German Development Cooperation and other international organisations such as The Commonwealth Local Government Forum and The United Cities and Local Governments of Africa who were there to support NALAG as their member with solidarity messages. Three Deputy Ministers from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development were also present as well as the Regional Minister of Bono Region and The Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation. The Local Government Services Secretariat and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association Ghana (CLOGSAG) were also present to pledge their support to NALAG.

High on the agenda of the conference was the Award to some meritorious members of NALAG who’s unrelenting service for over thirty years are still working very hard in their various communities and the conferment of Honorary membership to some deserving dignitaries for their unflinching support to NALAG over the years.
Also plenary sessions were held to discuss Agenda 2030, Enhancing Internally Generated Revenue and this was followed by a live demonstration of the use of the software developed to support the MMDAs in their quest to raise revenue for developmental impact. Culture of dialogue with citizens was presented as a participatory tool to improve internally generated revenue for the MMDAs. Mobilising local resources for sustainable development and management of waste at the district level were all topics that caught the attention of the delegates, as these are the areas were the MMDAs mostly encounter challenges. A representative from the Institute for Democratic Governance explained the concept of local democracy in the context of Ghana as prescribed by The Presidency of the Republic of Ghana – H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. This was to ensure that the delegates better understand the concept of local democracy and the process that will lead to the election through the referendum as prescribed by the constitution of the Republic of Ghana. NALAG is committed in supporting the policy of the government and will sensitise the population accordingly.

There was also the presentation of the audited financial statement by Veritas Associates for the year ending 31 December 2017 which were duly approved by the delegates.
Further presentations from Zoomlion and Ghana dot com addressed issues related to sanitation and waste management, and Ghana dot com is championing local news in Ghana. Zoomlion in collaboration with NALAG and other service providers want to ensure that every household in Ghana has a waste bin and Ghanadistricts dot com (ghanadistrict.com) is positioning to bring local governance to the doorsteps of the people. NALAG needs to work in close collaboration with this media organisation to create more visibility to local actions implemented at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The election of members to the National Executive Council of NALAG was another item high on the agenda. The election was conducted in a free and fair and free from fear manner. The following were voted into office.

• President: Hon. Bismark Baisie Nkum –Gomoa West District Assembly – Central Region
• 1st Vice President: Hon. Williams Aduum – Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly – Upper East Region
• 2nd Vice President: Hon. Evelyne Dansoa Boateng – New Juabeng North Municipal Assembly – Eastern Region
• Treasurer: Hon. Seth Oduro Boadu – West Akim Municipal Assembly – Eastern Region
• Trustee: Hon. Kusi Kwaku Eric – Adansi North District – Ashanti Region
• Trustee: Hon. Fiagbaji Prince – Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly – Oti Region
• Women’s Caucus Representative: Hon. Mariam Iddrisu –Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly – Northern Region

Regional Representatives