Parliament has ratified the African Union Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance, and Local Development.
The Charter among its objectives seeks to promote, protect and act as a catalyst for decentralization, local governance, and local development in Africa and champion local governance and local democracy as one of the cornerstones of decentralization in Africa.
The Charter intends to guide policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation at the continental, regional, state and sub-national levels to encourage effective coordination, harmonization and knowledge sharing within Member States and among regional economic communities.
Chairman of the Committee, Kennedy Agyapong, moving the motion for adoption of the Report explained that the Charter covers three thematic areas namely decentralization, local governance, and development and encapsulates principles of fundamental values of community participation and inclusivity, solidarity, civic responsibility, transparency, and accountability.
He said the Charter is in line with the strategic goals and objectives of the country for the facilitation of social integration and inclusiveness, consistent with the provisions of the Constitution including the Directive Principles of State Policy and decentralization and Local Government, and will make the decentralization process more vibrant to project Ghana as a champion of decentralization and local governance in Africa.
Supporting the motion for the adoption of the report, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned the constitutionality of the promise by NDC flagbearer, former President John Mahama to pay Assembly Members monthly salaries when elected into office again.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu contended that the Constitution does not give power to any President to pay salaries to Assembly members.
Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, disagreed with the Majority leader.
According to him, Presidents and Ministers announce policy decisions and subsequently amend the laws to reflect these decisions, and therefore whatever promises Mr. Mahama is making, the Constitution can be amended to cater for it.
