Following the nationwide distribution of motorbikes to about 9500 assembly members last year to ensure the better condition of service for assemblymen one would have thought that government would be allowed a breathing space before questioned about the provision of welfare packages to assembly members. However, a group called GAAM, Ghana Association of Assembly Men have recently taken to social media as well as mainstream media to demand salary from the government.
It is against this background that the concerned assembly members in the Western Region called for a press briefing on Friday, 4th September 2020 at WERBA house in Agona Nkwanta, Ahanta west district to announce their disassociation with GAAM, describing their request as unconstitutional.
Briefing the press, the coordinator of the group, Mr. Percy Ahenakwah asserted that they are not members of the Association called GAAM and that the mother association they recognize is NALAG. Adding that GAAM is only breaking apart from NALAG in order to pursue their parochial interest.
He stated that while it will be welcoming news to know that the government wants to give them a salary they will not allow GAAM whose organizational structure is unknown to mislead them.
“We want to state for the records that we will be happy to experience an enhanced condition of service for Assembly members and this includes any effort to ensure a fair and equitable emolument paid to us. It is however important to note that we are not ignorant of the laws of our office as Assembly members and will therefore not allow any group of people with their parochial interest to pretend to lead us to a path unknown.
Mr. Ahenakwah revealed why Assembly members cannot be paid a salary given the current constitutional regime does not support it.
He explained that the issue of salary for Assembly members is constitutional and that it is only when the constitutional provision has been amended then they can begin to talk about payment of salaries. He backed his statement by referencing article 250(2).
He further expounded that without amendment to article 250(2) of the Constitution many Assembly members who belong to different categories of professionals whose salaries are already charged to the consolidated fund will be paid double salaries, he cited medical Doctors, teachers, nurses, and other public servants whose salaries are already charged to the consolidated fund.
Mr. Ahenakwah agued more reasons Assembly members cannot be paid salaries and said according to section 18(1) of the local governance Act 936, 2016, the law does not anticipate a full-time work for assembly members, justifying their entitlement to allowances.
Responding to questions from the press, assistant coordinator of the group, Rt. Hon. John Davies believes that members of GAAM are ignorant of the law and that explains their action. He said most of GAAM members are new to the system without much experience and to the best of his knowledge they are acting out of ignorance to the due process that needs to be followed. He also said unlike Members of parliament assembly members are too many be paid salaries in the present state of the law.
However, the Concerned Assembly Members are appealing to the government to make amendments to the Constitution to allow for equitable and fair allowances to all assembly members. He explained, “Assembly Members across the country will experience inequalities as less privileged Assemblies don’t generate enough revenue to meet the demands of article 250(2).
The group is also appealing to the minister of Local Government and Rural Development to implement with immediate effect the proposal to increase the allocation to sub-structures from 2% to 10%.
Moreso, they are requesting that the central government amend to operationalize a transparent formula for payments of ex-gratia to and call on the MMDAs to pay all outstanding ex-gratia to the members of the immediate past Assembly.
The group entreated all Assembly Members across the 16 regions to stay United and fight for a common goal at all times.