Some residents in Kumasi are questioning the relevance of unit committee polls in the current Ghanaian politics.

They say voting for unit committee members whose mandates are undefined in the realm of politics make the Local Government elections unattractive. 

The Electoral Commission has set March 3, 2014 for the election of assembly members and unit committee members.

But ahead of this, some residents in Kumasi are raising concerns over the relevance of unit committee members and the role they play in local government politics.

Electorates say they are not ready to cast votes for unit committee members due to difficulties in assessing their performance.

Unit committee members are expected to complement the work of assembly members in decision making and implementation of projects in electoral areas.

Luv News enquiries however suggest most unit committee members are oblivious of their duties.

Responding to the role of the Unit Committee, Emmanuel Owusu, Unit Committee Chairman for Adukrom electoral area told Luv News the duty of committee is to manage the use of land in their respective electoral areas.

Though he admitted members of the Unit Committee are ignorant of their duties, Mr. Owusu blamed authorities for failing to spell out duties of the unit committee.

Unlike assembly members, unit committee members have been relegated to the background despite their supportive roles in grassroots development.

Aside low coverage, their woes continue to deepen after every election as they remain powerless and redundant over the four-year period.

“We are there to assist the assembly members. So at least there should be programs or workshops intermittently to tell us what our duties are. Sometimes that is enough motivation to work. But No one seems to care about us.

“We don’t know our duties so you do whatever you like and step on people’s toes. That is why people think we are not important”, worried Emmanuel Owusu complained.

Unit committee members do not receive remuneration for work done, but it appears a lot of people are developing interest as the number of aspirants increased.

The numbers range between 15 and 30 in electoral areas in the Ashanti Region.

Thirty-two year old trader, Kwasi Twumasi is among nineteen other aspirants contesting at the Ayigya Electoral area in Kumasi.

According to him, he is contesting the position because he wants to contribute to development.

“If things are going wrong in a community, we need someone to stand and put things right. That is why the unit committee exists and that is why I am contesting,” he said.

Some residents who spoke to Luv Fm in Kumasi are however unconcerned about the local assembly elections.

They claim there is no need for them to vote in this category because it is a waste of time.

“Even the importance of the assemblyman I don’t know, talk less of unit committee. I would not waste my time to vote," one said.

While some didn’t know who unit committee members are, those who knew were unaware of their duties and were emphatic they would not take part in the upcoming elections.