Ghana’s NALAG Praises Minister for Settling Assembly Members’ Allowance Arrears: A Win for Decentralization

Introduction

In a significant development for Ghana’s local governance structure, the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Alfred Asiedu Adjei, has publicly commended the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, Religious and Chieftaincy Affairs. The commendation follows the government’s facilitation of the full settlement of outstanding monthly allowance arrears for Assembly Members for the year 2025. This action is being hailed as a critical milestone that strengthens the nation’s decentralization framework and formally recognizes the indispensable role of these elected grassroots representatives. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of this event, exploring its background, implications, and the path forward for sustainable local governance in Ghana.

Key Points

Background: Understanding Ghana’s Decentralization and Assembly Members

The Structure of Local Governance in Ghana

Ghana’s system of local governance is a cornerstone of its 1992 Constitution, designed to bring government closer to the people through decentralization in Ghana. This system is operationalized through Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Each Assembly is a political and administrative authority with powers in planning, budgeting, and implementing local development projects.

The Critical Role of Assembly Members

Assembly Members are directly elected by citizens in electoral areas (formerly unit committees) within each MMDA. They are non-partisan in their Assembly functions but serve as the primary grassroots representatives. Their statutory duties, as outlined in the Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936), include:

• Community Mobilization: Engaging citizens to participate in local decision-making and development initiatives.
• Development Oversight: Monitoring projects and ensuring they align with community needs and Assembly plans.
• Social Accountability: Acting as a bridge between the Assembly executive and the public, communicating concerns and feedback.
• Conflict Resolution: Often serving as first-responders in local disputes to maintain peace.
• Sensitization: Educating communities on government policies, business models, and civic rights.

Despite these weighty responsibilities, the position is not full-time, and members historically receive a modest monthly allowance rather than a fixed salary. This has led to chronic issues with allowance arrears and logistical constraints.

Historical Context of Allowance Payments

The payment of allowances to Assembly Members has been inconsistent, often dependent on annual budgetary allocations and the fiscal health of the central government. Arrears accumulate when funds are delayed, creating financial hardship for individuals who dedicate significant time to public service, often sacrificing personal income from their primary occupations. This inconsistency has been a long-standing point of advocacy for NALAG, which represents the collective interests of these local leaders.

Analysis: The Significance and Implications of the Payment

Strengthening the Decentralization Architecture

The timely clearance of the 2025 arrears is more than a fiscal transaction; it is a policy signal. For effective decentralization in Ghana to function, sub-national structures must be adequately resourced, not just financially but also in recognizing the human capital involved. When Assembly Members are empowered and their welfare is prioritized, the entire chain of participatory democracy is strengthened. It moves decentralization from a constitutional concept to a lived reality at the community level.

Impact on Morale and Service Delivery

As NALAG’s president noted, the intervention “goes beyond financial relief.” The psychological impact is profound. Prolonged arrears breed frustration, demotivation, and can lead to attrition or reduced commitment among Assembly Members. Settling these debts restores dignity and reinforces the value of their voluntary public service. A motivated Assembly Member is more likely to diligently monitor projects, mobilize community members, and hold local authorities accountable, directly enhancing local governance and service delivery.

The Imperative for Legal and Budgetary Formalization

While the one-time payment is welcome, NALAG’s concurrent call for formalization is the crucial, long-term takeaway. Relying on ad-hoc ministerial facilitation is unsustainable. The way forward requires:

• Statutory Entitlement: Amending or enacting legislation to clearly define the allowance of Assembly Members as a mandatory charge on the national or district budget.
• Budgetary Allocation: Creating a dedicated, ring-fenced line item in the annual budget for Assembly Members’ allowances, protecting it from reallocation.
• Disbursement Mechanism: Establishing a transparent, predictable, and timely payment system, possibly through the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) or a specific grant.

This legal framework provides certainty, reduces lobbying efforts, and ensures that the welfare of grassroots democrats is not subject to political or economic whims. It is a matter of good governance and institutional integrity.

Practical Advice and Forward Pathways

For Policymakers and the Ministry of Local Government

1. Draft a Legislative Memorandum: Prepare a policy document for cabinet and parliament proposing the amendment of Act 936 or the creation of a new instrument to codify the payment of regular, adequate allowances to Assembly Members.
2. Conduct a Needs Assessment: Commission a study to determine a realistic, dignified monthly allowance rate that reflects the time and responsibilities involved, indexed to inflation.
3. Institutionalize in the DACF Formula: Advocate for the inclusion of Assembly Members’ allowance liabilities in the formula for distributing the District Assemblies’ Common Fund, ensuring funds flow directly to the Assemblies for this purpose.
4. Create a Payment Calendar: Publish and adhere to a fixed annual schedule for allowance disbursement to enhance transparency and accountability.

For NALAG and Assembly Members

1. Document and Advocate: Maintain detailed records of service and past arrears to build a compelling case for formalization. Use the current goodwill to push for structural change, not just episodic payments.
2. Build Coalitions: Partner with civil society organizations (CSOs) focused on local governance in Ghana, decentralization, and anti-corruption to amplify the call for institutional reform.
3. Engage the Public: Raise awareness among constituents about the challenges faced and the importance of supporting strong local institutions. This builds bottom-up pressure for sustainable solutions.

Addressing the Logistical Gap: The Motorbike Imperative

The plea for motorbikes is not a peripheral request but a core operational necessity. In many rural and sprawling districts, mobility for Assembly Members is a fundamental barrier to effectiveness. Without reliable transport:

• Community visits are infrequent and reactive.
• Project monitoring becomes impossible in remote areas.
• Emergency conflict resolution or sensitization is delayed.

Practical Solutions: The Ministry could explore:

• A dedicated logistical support scheme for Assembly Members, potentially through a public-private partnership or a phased government procurement program.
• Providing a monthly transport allowance in lieu of vehicles, though this is less efficient for project-based work.
• Encouraging District Assemblies to allocate part of their internally generated funds (IGFs) for this purpose, though this may be inequitable between wealthy and poor districts.

The current Assembly’s tenure is in its third year, making this a pressing issue for the remainder of their term.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Assembly Members in Ghana?

Assembly Members are elected local government officials who serve at the Metropolitan, Municipal, or District Assembly (MMDA) level. They represent specific electoral areas within a district and are central to grassroots participation, development planning, and community oversight. They are distinct from appointed members and the executive (e.g., Municipal Chief Executive).

Why were the 2025 allowance arrears owed?

The arrears typically stem from delays in the release of funds from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Local Government, which then disburses to the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) or directly. Budgetary constraints, administrative bottlenecks, and the lack of a mandatory, time-bound payment schedule contribute to the accumulation of unpaid allowances.

What is NALAG and why is its president’s statement important?

NALAG is the umbrella body representing all elected Assembly Members across Ghana. Its president is a key stakeholder and spokesperson for the entire cohort of local government representatives. His public commendation signals collective approval from the grassroots level, while his concomitant calls for reform carry the weight of organized, nationwide advocacy.

How does settling these arrears impact ordinary citizens?

Indirectly but significantly. Motivated Assembly Members are more active in their communities. They can better facilitate public forums, monitor the quality of local projects (like schools, clinics, and roads), and ensure citizen concerns reach the Assembly’s executive. This leads to more responsive and accountable local governance, which should translate to better-targeted development and services for communities.

Is there a legal basis for paying Assembly Members?

Yes. Their role and the structure of Assemblies are established by the 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936). However, the specific mechanism, frequency, and source of their remuneration/allowance are not always explicitly detailed in a way that guarantees regular payment. This legal ambiguity is what NALAG seeks to rectify through formalization.

What is the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF)?

Established by the 1992 Constitution, the DACF is a dedicated fund that receives at least 5% of the national revenue. It is allocated to MMDAs to support their development planning and administrative functions. It is the primary potential source for sustainably funding Assembly Members’ allowances if the allocation formula is adjusted accordingly.

Conclusion: A Step Forward, But the Journey Continues

The settlement of the 2025 allowance arrears for Ghana’s Assembly Members is a positive and necessary action by the Ministry of Local Government. It provides immediate financial relief, boosts morale, and aligns with the principles of decentralized governance. NALAG’s measured response—commending the minister while simultaneously demanding systemic reform—highlights a mature understanding of the difference between a beneficial gesture and a sustainable institutional practice.

The true test of this progress will be the government’s commitment to formalizing allowance payments through transparent legal and budgetary channels. Coupled with addressing the critical logistical needs like motorbike provision, this can transform the capacity of Assembly Members to fulfill their constitutional mandate. Strengthening these grassroots links is not an administrative footnote; it is fundamental to deepening democracy, ensuring equitable development, and building resilient communities across Ghana. The path forward requires political will, legislative action, and continued advocacy to turn this commendable intervention into a permanent feature of Ghana’s celebrated local governance system.