Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr Anthony Ahiable, Presiding Member (PM) of the Kadjebi District Assembly, has urged Assembly Members to build trust and strengthen their relationship with the public to enhance citizens’ appreciation of their work.
He said Assembly Members were elected to serve their communities and not to exercise authority over them, stressing that transparency, accountability and effective communication must guide their interactions with constituents.
Mr Ahiable, who also chairs the Assembly’s Public Relations and Complaints Committee (PRCC), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Kadjebi in the Oti Region that the PRCC remained key to deepening participatory governance at the local level.
He said the Committee served as a link between the Assembly and the public by ensuring that information on policies, programmes and decisions was communicated appropriately to the people.
“Through effective public engagement, we promote understanding and encourage citizens to actively take part in local governance processes,” he stated.
Mr Ahiable noted that the PRCC provided a formal and credible platform for receiving and addressing complaints from citizens, staff and other stakeholders, saying this contributed to institutional trust.
“In every institution, disagreements and concerns may arise. A structured system for handling complaints promotes fairness, reduces conflict and boosts public confidence in the Assembly’s work,” he added.
He stressed that the Committee existed not merely to fulfil statutory requirements but to serve as a cornerstone of participatory democracy and responsible local governance.
Mr Ahiable urged Assembly Members to remain accessible, responsive and proactive, adding that regular community meetings, feedback sessions and open forums would help demystify the Assembly’s work and promote mutual respect.
He encouraged residents to use established channels to communicate their concerns and assured them that the Assembly was committed to addressing issues in a timely and transparent manner.
Mr Ahiable expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the Assembly and citizens would accelerate the district’s development and strengthen grassroots democracy.
