Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country will soon be legally required to broadcast their proceedings live on community radio stations, the Minister of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has revealed.
The upcoming policy directive forms part of a broader drive by the ministry to deepen grassroots democracy, enhance public accountability, and ensure residents stay informed about decision-making processes within their local jurisdictions.
Speaking in Accra on Wednesday, 30th September, during an engagement with heads of departments, ministry agencies, and development partners, the sector minister stressed that local assemblies operate as legislative organs and must adhere to high standards of openness.
According to him, citizens deserve the same direct access to local assembly sittings as enjoyed by national audiences following parliamentary debates.
“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 stated.
To ensure a smooth rollout, the Local Government Ministry plans to partner with broadcasting houses at the district and regional levels. The ministry is already assisting regional radio outlets and intends to build on those networks to expand coverage, giving ordinary citizens a voice and front-row seat to local administration.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana