The Upper East Region branch of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members [GAAM], has threatened to boycott the endorsement of the President’s nominees for the Municipal and District Chief Executive positions in the region, if they are not paid their ex – gratia.

At a press conference held in Bolgatanga, the Assembly Members said some of them are yet to be paid their ex-gratia after leaving office nearly two years ago.

President of the Association, David Adoliba who addressed the press conference said, “Some Assemblies still owe Honorable Assembly Members their ex – gratia, two years after their tenure of office. We are hereby calling on such Assemblies to as a matter of urgency, pay all outstanding monies before the confirmation of the government nominees for the various MMDAs”.

He revealed that Assembly Members are expected to be paid between GHC1,000 and GHC1,500 each for their four-year tenure.

The different amounts, he said are to be paid according to whether the Assembly Members worked under a District or Municipal Assembly respectively.

“As we speak no Assembly in this region has paid [the ex – gratia] fully. Some are paying in bits and others are yet to pay, Mr. Adoliba said.

Among other things, the Upper East Region branch of GAAM also want President Akufo-Addo, to consider introducing and implementing an Electoral Area Fund which will be designated for elected Assembly Members, so they can carry out minor projects in their electoral areas.

“We want to call upon the President, Nana Akufo Addo through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to consider introducing and implementing [an] Electoral Area Fund whereby about 5% of the District Assembly Common Fund is designated for elected Assembly Members to access for minor projects such as desilting of gutters, reroofing of classrooms and emergency matters that may arise at the various electoral areas”, the Assembly Members said at the press conference.

The Upper East Region chapter of GAAM also indicated that at least, five District Assemblies in the region were without Presiding Members and there was the need for the election of these Presiding Members before any business of the Assemblies, including the endorsement of the MMDCE nominees can take place.

“It is our hope that these calls will be responded to with the emergency it deserves. If not, we will join our colleagues in other regions to boycott the confirmation of the MMDCEs if the government nominates them”, David Adoliba concluded amidst applause from his colleagues at the press conference.

Below is the full press statement from the Upper East Region branch of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members.