The General Assembly
Composition of the General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Central Tongu District Assembly is made up of 42 members comprising of 27 elected members, 13 government Appointees, one District Chief Executive (DCE) and Member of Parliament (MP). The Assembly is headed by a Presiding who is either an elected member or Presidential Appointee.

Committees of the Assembly

The District Assembly has two Committees - (1) Public Relations and Complaints Committee (PRCC) and (2) Executive Committee (EXECO). The Presiding Member is the Chairman of PRCC while the DCE is the head of EXECO.

EXECO is responsible for the implementation of the resolution of the Assembly and oversees the administration of the District. It is expected to:

Coordinate plans and programs of the Sub-Committees and submit these plans as comprehensive plans of action to the District Assembly.

Implement resolutions of the District Assembly.

Oversee the administration of the District in collaboration with the office of the District Chief Executive. Recommend where it considers necessary, in the case of District non-decentralized departments to the appropriate government Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), the appointment and replacement of officers within the area of authority of the Assembly.

Adopt measures to develop and execute approved plans of the units, areas and towns and Sub-District District Councils within the area of authority of the Assembly.

Recommend to the District Assembly the coordination, integration and harmonization of District Development Plans and Policies.

In the performance of its functions, the Assembly works through the Executive and its subsidiary Committees. EXECO is made up of not more than the chairpersons of the five (5) mandatory Subsidiary Committees (Sub-Committees), one adhoc committee leader and two gender sensitive members. The mandatory sub-committees are;

Development Planning;
Finance and Administrative;
Social Services;
Security and Justice; and work

Departments and Administrative Structure

Legislative Instrument 1961 establishes the Departments for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana. This is further provided in the Local Governance Act, 2016, Act 936. According to the Local Government Service, these are the Departments of the District;

Central Administration
Education Youth and Sports
Social Welfare and Community Development
Health
Works
Physical Planning
Trade, Industry and Tourism
Agriculture
Disaster Prevention
Natural Resources Conservation

Social Accountability

Decentralization is seen as an important mechanism for strengthening local democracy and improving service delivery. It has helped to transfer development and governance of local communities to Assemblies making participation by ordinary citizens governing process practical and possible. The participation and engagement of citizens in decision-making is the hallmark of democracy. Citizen’s participation is therefore a right guaranteed by the constitution of Ghana which places ultimate power in the people.

Popular participation seeks to promote local democracy, participation and accountability through strong and viable stakeholder involvement, clarifies and strengthens the roles and relationships between state and non-state actors in the decentralisation agenda (Ghana, NPPF 2016).

The Assembly has several platforms which serve as very good opportunities for citizens to participate in its development agenda. Some of these channels which exist within the Assembly are;

Public Planning Hearing (DMTDP)

Public Budget Hearing

Stakeholder/Ratepayers Fee -Fixing Consultation

Validation and Review Forums

Notice Boards (DA and Sub - Committee Meetings, Revenue Charts, Gazetted Fee Fixing Resolution, Announcement of Jobs, Appointments, Procurement Awards, etc of public interest.

Town Hall and Community Meetings
Information Sharing Session
Zonal Councils and Unit Committee Meetings
Exhibition of Development Projects
Bulk SMS Text Messages
Annual Social Audit

However, some of these platforms are not functional or are weak in its engagement. The sub-district structures are not well resourced with a number of them lacking office accommodation and personnel. Notwithstanding, engagement with other interest groups such as; the Traditional Authorities, Assembly members, Religious groups and some NGO’s are very encouraging with their efforts in strengthening and promoting citizens’ participation in development planning and budgeting.

MAN MADE AND NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Apart from fire outbreaks, perennial flooding and rain continue to be threat in the Central Tongu District. Flood is the leading disaster condition in the District. The District recorded 15 disasters in 2020. Flood is not only a natural disaster but a man-made disaster caused by the disposal of waste in drains andbuilding on water ways. The pie chart below shows the conditions of disaster in the community.

Flooding is the main disaster in the District due to the gradual sloping of the lands of the District off from the River Volta. When it rains, the rain water gushes towards to the South Eastern part of the District. As a result, the land space between Adidome, Bakpa Fieve (South Tongu) and Yorkutikpo (South Tongu) is swarm which is suitable for rice cultivation – as well as the lands between Dove and Tademe.

Therefore, communities along the waterways are prone to flooding. Some of these communities are Adidome and Dove. The river Tordzi when flooded also caused disaster to Kpoviadzi, Tordzinu, Gafatsikope and other communities closer to the Tordzi’s channels.