The Minister of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has announced plans to introduce regulations compelling Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to broadcast their meetings live on local FM stations.
The initiative is intended to enhance transparency and accountability in local governance while giving residents greater access to proceedings and decisions taken by their respective assemblies.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with development partners, heads of departments and agencies under the Ministry in Accra on Wednesday, September 30, Mr Ayariga said the Ministry would collaborate with local radio stations to ensure that assembly proceedings are accessible to members of the public.
He noted that MMDAs perform legislative functions at the local level and, therefore, their deliberations should be conducted openly and made available to the communities they serve.
“Every assembly meeting, I’m coming out with regulations and directives that say that every assembly meeting must be aired live on the local FM stations because assemblies are local legislative bodies.
“Their proceedings must be as transparent and open to the localities the same way that the proceedings of the national assembly, which is a national parliament, is equally,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said the government was already supporting regional broadcasting stations and would utilise their platforms to improve public access to local assembly proceedings.
The Minister believes the move will also create opportunities for residents to better understand and engage with decisions that affect their communities.
The planned regulations form part of broader efforts by the Ministry to deepen public participation, transparency and accountability in Ghana’s local government system.
