MCE EMBARKS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

MCE EMBARKS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA); Hon. Samuel Okoe Amanquah has embarked on a community visit and engagement within the Municipality. He was accompanied by some Heads of Department and Directors of the Assembly. They visited all the eighteen (18) electoral areas namely; Nanoman, Kpone Bawuleshie, Katamansu, Bossah, Appolonia, Saduase, Oyibi, Santoe, Sraha Zenu and Ankansa Zenu. The rest are Kakasunanka, Gbetsile, Sebrepor, Mnlitsakpo, Bethlehem and Kpone.

The community engagement which commenced on the 10^thto 28^th October, 2022 brought together traditional rulers, Assembly members, members of the GPRTU, market women, beauticians, dressmakers, welders, leaders of residence/landlords association, pastors, youth groups and the general public.

In all the places visited, Hon Amanquah explained to residents that the essence of the community engagement was to give an account of his stewardship since assuming office in 2021. He explained further that the move was in line with government efforts to strengthen local governance and promote accountability among the various Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies (MMDAs). He added that community engagements are an opportunity to also share what the Assembly is doing with residents and give them the opportunity to ask questions and give suggestions on how to accelerate development in the Municipality.

In his presentation, Hon Amanquah touched on a wide range of challenges facing the Municipality such as overcrowding in schools, poor road networks, inadequate health facilities, poor sanitation, insecurity, flooding, poor state of drains, bridges and culverts, high rate of youth unemployment, among others.

In the area of poor road network, which remains a major problem in the Municipality, the MCE said all the necessary documents have been submitted on what he termed as ‘critical roads’ to the Ministry of Roads and Highways and Urban roads for urgent attention. He explained further that a research conducted by KNUST had revealed that the entire Municipality needed a total of 1612km of road network but sadly less than 30km representing 2% have been constructed by successive governments.

Speaking about overcrowding in schools, the MCE disclosed that twenty-eight (28) schools were currently running the shift system in the Municipality. The shift system had been abolished by most schools because it is did not enhance effective teaching and learning. The situation according to the MCE could be resolved by building more schools blocks in all the electoral areas. He noted that the Assembly was engaging industries sited within the Municipality to assist in building more schools so that the shift system could be abolished completely in the Municipality. Hon Amanquah also spoke about encroachment of school lands and said the Municipal Education Directorate is embarking on a project called’ Let’s fence our schools’ to prevent encroachers from developing on school lands.

On sanitation, the MCE informed residents that all the 29 MMDAs in the Greater Accra region have passed the by-laws to effectively implement ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage’ programme. Hon Amanquah emphasised that the ‘Operation clean your frontage’ initiative makes it obligatory for all individuals to be responsible for the cleaning and greening of their immediate surroundings and environment. He therefore advised all and sundry to keep their homes, stores and offices clean in order not to be prosecuted. He assured residents that the Assembly will soon liaise with Zoomlion to provide waste bins for households and schools for easy and proper dumping and disposal of waste.

On security issues, Hon MCE noted that cases of armed robbery is on the ascendency in the Municipality. He encouraged the formation of community ‘‘Watch Dog Committees’’ in all communities in the various electoral areas. More police stations according to him will also be sighted in the various communities so that the presence of police officials will be felt in our communities. He assured residents that the situation will be given a critical look during MUSEC meeting.

Hon Amanquah encouraged residents to pay their property rates, business operating permits, building permits and other taxes in order for the Assembly to generate more revenue for developmental projects.

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions about problems bothering them in their various communities.

Madam Florence Lamptey Okosso; Director of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) sensitised residents on the mandate and functions of the Commission and urged the populace to report issues concerning human rights to her office at Kpone.

Report in pictures.