UNIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGENT OF DEVELOPMENT

 

By Lisa Bogler

Twenty Unit committee members comprising eighteen males and two females were inaugurated at Abura Dunkwa in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district. They have been urged to be concerned on the development of their communities.

In his role as the District Chief Executive, Hon. William Atta Mends holds the inaugural address for the installation of the new Unit Committee in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, attended by amongst others the Assembly Members and the chiefs of the district. According to Hon. William Atta Mends the Unit Committee is important to strengthen local governance and involve the people directly and that is what the government is working on.

The function of the Unit Committee is to assist the District Assembly and work at the grassroots level, bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people. It is supposed to take over all the responsibilities that were formerly taken by the Town or Village Committee.

It will therefore keep records of rates on properties and assist the Urban or Town Council in collecting revenues and register births and deaths in the unit. Moreover, the Committees mobilize members of the Unit for the implementation of self-help and development projects and monitor these. The education of the people on their rights, privileges, obligations and responsibilities is another of its functions as well as taking lawful steps to the diminution of nuisances.

Being a strong local structure of governance, the Unit Committee should be a central point for the discussion of any local problems. These problems, when discussed, can then be addressed immediately or issued through the Urban, Zonal or Town Council to the District Assembly for recommendations. Thus the Committees will assist the staff of these Councils and the District Assembly with their work and the Hon. William Atta Mends assures the Committee members that the Assembly will also do what it takes to make their joint work a success.

He declared the Unit Committees duly opened, the Unit Committee members are formally sworn into office and their tenure starts. They are now supposed to elect one Convener amongst themselves to preside at its meetings that are to be held regularly with fixed agendas and time to discuss motions.

The chief of Abura Dunkwa Nana Osam VII pointed out, that the Committee’s work is purely sacrificial. Its members should therefore show commitment and dedication to improve the situation in their communities and beyond.

The local chiefs’ support is important for the Unit Committees as they have to work together. Without agreement, efforts on both sides and work for projects could be unsuccessful. In this district the cooperation seems to be promising as the chiefs show their approval throughout the ceremony. It is now hard work and commitment of everybody that can bring the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district forward.