The Office of the President, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Governance, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, has announced February 12, 2024, for the inauguration of District Assembly Members.
In a press release signed by Head of Public Relations, Matilda Tettey, it stated that this is a fulfillment of Article 35 Clause 6(d) of the constitution, which enjoins the state to promote decentralisation and popular participation in governance.
The Ministry stated that the inauguration is to facilitate the swearing of newly elected and appointed members of the MMDAs as part of efforts to deepen our local governance and decentralisation system to promote participatory decision-making at the local level.
“Additionally, Section 16 (1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936 requires Assembly members to maintain close contact with the electoral area; consult the people on the issues to be discussed in the District Assembly; collate their views, opinions, and proposals; and take part in communal and development activities, among others,” the release added.
The release added that citizens are encouraged to get involved in the workings of the District Assemblies and participate in decision-making in their various communities through their Assembly Members after the inauguration of the District Assemblies.
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Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has expressed his condolences to Aburi Girls Senior High School and the family of the student who tragically passed away.
The first-year student of the school tragically died after allegedly being denied medical attention by the school nurse, who purportedly accused her of repeatedly feigning illness.
The student, Stacey Okyere, who had complained of severe stomach pains, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024.
According to reports, she was rushed to the hospital but, unfortunately, was already dead by then.
The incident, which occurred under strange circumstances, has had the management of the school come under serious criticism over what the family describes as neglect on the part of the management.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Education Minister, said that the incident was heartbreaking, for which reason his thoughts are with all affected.
“I express my deepest condolences to Aburi Girls Senior High School and the family of the student who tragically passed away.
“This loss is truly heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has taken over investigations to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of a 16-year-old student of the Aburi Girls Senior High School in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
Even though management and the Ghana Education Service have been tight-lipped about the incident, the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has called for calm and promised that the CID would help bring finality to all issues surrounding the incident.
Speaking to journalists after an engagement with school authorities on February 9, the Regional Minister said, “I have been given a briefing by the management of the school. Because of the nature of the passing of the student, it becomes a conversation that requires law enforcement agencies, in particular, the CID of the Ghana Police, to come in and investigate the matter for us.”
“The Ghana Education Service has its own mechanism for investigating this matter as well. And so for us, it’s premature for us to offer conclusions in respect to this matter. We are here to express our condolences to management and students. We pray to God to strengthen the family. We are keenly following investigations, and we will keep the sanctity of this institution.”
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