The government has assured Assembly Members across the country that outstanding allowances for the first quarter of 2026 will be released in the coming days, following concerns over delays in payment.

The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Odoley Sowah, said the payments are currently being processed by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and that efforts are underway to ensure their prompt disbursement.

She gave the assurance on Wednesday during the launch of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana’s (NALAG) Exercise Book Distribution Initiative at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Conference Hall.

According to the Deputy Minister, the Ministry is also engaging the leadership of NALAG on plans to procure motorbikes for Assembly Members to enhance their mobility and effectiveness in serving their communities.

Mrs. Odoley Sowah urged Assembly Members to continue using dialogue and constructive engagement in addressing concerns affecting their welfare and work, stressing the need to maintain the smooth administration of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

Earlier, the President of NALAG, Hon. Alfred Asiedu Adjei, appealed to the government to expedite the release of the outstanding allowances, describing them as critical to enabling Assembly Members to effectively carry out their responsibilities at the grassroots level.

He noted that many Assembly Members operate in large and difficult electoral areas, often under challenging conditions, and reiterated the Association’s longstanding request for motorbikes to support their work.

According to him, the provision of motorbikes has become an operational necessity rather than a luxury, given the pivotal role Assembly Members play as the closest representatives of government to local communities.

Hon. Asiedu Adjei expressed confidence that the government would demonstrate its commitment to strengthening local governance by facilitating the payment of the outstanding allowances and providing the logistical support needed by Assembly Members.

The discussions took place during the launch of NALAG’s nationwide exercise book distribution initiative, an educational support programme targeting primary school pupils across all 16 regions of the country.

The initiative is being implemented under the theme, “Local Governance for Educational Transformation,” and aims to contribute to improved learning outcomes while reinforcing the role of local authorities in national development.