Mr. Sylvester Peprah, the assembly member for the Sabikrom Electoral Area in the Dormaa East District of the Bono Region, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for fulfilling his Election 2024 campaign pledge to provide monthly allowances to assembly members. The move is seen as a major step toward improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local governance.
In March 2025, during his presentation of the national budget, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, revealed that the government had allocated GHC 1,000,000 to fund the monthly allowances for assembly members. This announcement has been met with widespread approval, particularly from local government officials who often face financial constraints in performing their duties.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Wamanafo in the Dormaa East District, Mr. Peprah attributed the decision to President Mahama’s deep understanding of the challenges assembly members face. Having been an assembly member himself, the President is well aware of the financial and logistical challenges local representatives endure.
“The President’s gesture is a recognition of our role as the crucial link between the communities and the government. His decision to pay monthly allowances shows he is aware of the difficulties we face in performing our responsibilities effectively,” Mr. Peprah said. He emphasized that the financial support would help assembly members meet the increasing demands of their constituents, ensuring that they could better facilitate local governance and the decentralization process.
Assembly members, who often juggle multiple roles within their communities, have long faced a shortage of resources to effectively serve their people. Mr. Peprah noted that the duties of an assembly member are multifaceted, involving attending numerous social events, engaging with community leaders, and traveling to remote areas—all of which require significant time, effort, and financial resources. Despite the vital nature of their work, many assembly members lack the financial support to carry out these responsibilities to their fullest potential.
“This allowance will go a long way in alleviating some of the financial burdens we face as assembly members,” he added. “It is not just a token, but a meaningful step toward strengthening the decentralization process and empowering us to better serve the needs of our communities.”
In addition to the monthly allowances, Mr. Peprah also expressed his support for the government’s plan to establish a Women’s Development Bank. He believes that this initiative will empower women traders, helping them expand their businesses and improve their families’ well-being. He urged the government to expedite the establishment of the bank, calling it a crucial step toward addressing the financial challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
“The Women’s Development Bank is a much-needed initiative that will help women in our communities thrive,” Mr. Peprah said. “Many women face significant barriers to accessing financial resources, and this bank would provide them with the tools to succeed and contribute more effectively to their families and the economy.”
Overall, Mr. Peprah’s comments highlight a growing recognition of the need for financial and institutional support for local government representatives and entrepreneurs, particularly women, in order to promote sustainable community development.
