Release outstanding allowances for assembly members - NALAG appeals to Finance Minister
The National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has made an urgent appeal to the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to release the outstanding balance of the approved allowance for assembly members across the country.
"We appeal to the Honourable Minister of Finance to urgently release the outstanding balance of the approved allowance to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), for onward disbursement to all Honourable assembly members across the country," NALAG said.
This was contained in a resolution passed by the association at its just-ended 4th Quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Sunyani last Thursday.
It was signed and issued by the NALAG President, Alfred Asiedu Adjei, who is also the assembly member for the Avenor Electoral Area located within the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.
The association commended the government for allocating GH¢ 100,000,000 in the 2025 national budget specifically for the payment of assembly members' monthly allowances.
However, it noted that only two months' worth of allowances had been released, covering April and May, leaving a substantial outstanding balance for six months up to November.
"NALAG wishes to commend His Excellency, the President, John Dramani Mahama, and the Government for allocating One Hundred Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 100,000,000) in the 2025 national budget specifically for the payment of Assembly Members' monthly allowances," the statement said.
çrucial role
It said assembly members played a crucial role in the country’s decentralisation efforts, who served as the direct link between the government and the citizenry at the local level.
The statement said they were also responsible for overseeing the implementation of government programmes and projects in their respective districts, as well as promoting local development initiatives.
However, the delay in payment of their allowances is hampering their ability to effectively carry out their duties. Many assembly members are compelled to cover large geographic areas without adequate logistical support, which undermines the decentralisation agenda.
The association therefore called for the release of the arrears of assembly members to facilitate their work in their respective electoral areas.
Motorbikes
NALAG also called on the government to urgently consider the procurement and distribution of motorbikes for all assembly members to address the logistical constraints they face in the delivery of their mandate as local agents of development.
The association emphasised that the motorbikes are essential working tools that directly enhance mobility, monitoring, community engagement, and effective service delivery at the local level.
NALAG assured assembly members that their welfare remains a top priority and that the association is actively engaging with the government to address the issue.
Background
President Mahama, in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament on February 27, 2025, reiterated his commitment to pay modest allowances to assembly members, a promise he made during the 2024 election campaign.
In line with this, the Minister of Finance, Dr Forson, in the 2025 Budget Statement and Financial Policy in Parliament in March this year, announced the allocation of GH¢100 million to that effect.
