"I PROPOSE THAT PRESIDENT MAHAMA GRANT DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES THE AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS"

The Founder and Leader of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Christian Kwabena Andrews, popularly known as Osofo Kyiriabosom, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to grant Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) greater authority to spearhead the development of their respective districts. Speaking in an interview on the Ghana Nti Morning Show hosted by Nana Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi on August 6, 2026, Osofo Kyiriabosom expressed concern about Ghana's economic outlook, warning that the country could face more difficult times if urgent measures are not taken to strengthen the economy. "We're sitting on a time bomb," he cautioned, adding that the current administration would face significant challenges in governance if sustainable economic policies were not pursued. According to him, the government's heavy reliance on taxation as a source of revenue places an increasing burden on citizens, making it difficult for many people to improve their standard of living. He argued that excessive taxation alone cannot drive national development. Osofo Kyiriabosom further noted that Ghana's limited export capacity continues to hinder economic growth and stressed the need for policies that promote production and value addition. He urged the government to create more employment opportunities by investing in productive sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture. He emphasized that engaging the youth in agricultural production would not only reduce unemployment but also boost food security and contribute to the country's economic transformation. He maintained that empowering district assemblies to initiate and implement development projects tailored to the needs of their local communities would accelerate development and reduce the over-centralization of decision-making. Report by Victoria Amoah