The Ketu North Municipal Assembly has held a stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting in Dzodze to provide residents with updates on development projects, revenue mobilisation and governance activities, while also creating a platform for citizens to ask questions and make inputs.
Speaking at the meeting on Friday, June 12, Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu North, described the event as successful and expressed satisfaction with the large turnout.
Rev Amenaki explained that the meeting was organised in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which requires Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to hold stakeholder engagement sessions at least twice a year.
He said the engagements were intended to promote transparency, allow residents to understand the work of the Assembly, provide opportunities for citizens to ask questions and make suggestions, and enable the Assembly to gather public views for incorporation into its programmes and policies.
The MCE said the Assembly had completed a number of projects initiated before his assumption of office, including: A three-unit classroom block, borehole and storage facility at Dzodze Technical Institute.
A six-unit classroom block at Tsiyinu, A CHPS compound and nurses’ quarters at Kuli Nurses’ quarters at Penyi.
He added that furniture, poly tanks and other support items had also been distributed in collaboration with the Member of Parliament.
On ongoing projects, Rev Amenaki said the Assembly was constructing CHPS compounds with nurses’ quarters at Adzoatsi and Kutsinu, both of which were nearing the roofing stage.
He said a six-unit classroom block at Tadzewu had been roofed left with plastering and was expected to be completed within weeks, while a modern kindergarten block was also under construction at Dzodze Fiagbedu.
The Assembly, he added, had delivered four skip containers and was undertaking the construction of 10 boreholes across the municipality.
Rev Amenaki noted that Ketu North had become one of the best-performing municipalities in the Volta Region in terms of internally generated funds (IGF).
“I want to thank the Coordinating Director, the revenue staff and all supporting staff for the good work they are doing. I also appreciate the chiefs and community leaders for their support and patience with my administration,” he said.
Mr Bernard Sakyiama, the Ketu North Municipal Coordinating Director, said the gathering reflected the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening local governance through participation, openness and accountability.
He explained that Sections 40 and 42 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended, require Assemblies to create opportunities for residents to contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes affecting their communities.
“The law recognises that effective local governance thrives on transparency, inclusiveness, responsiveness and accountability,” he said.
Mr Sakyiama said the forum enabled the Assembly to present information on revenue mobilisation, budget implementation, expenditure and the status of ongoing and completed projects, while also allowing residents and organised groups to seek clarification and contribute ideas for improving service delivery.
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Mr Edward Seke, urged residents to unite behind the municipality’s development agenda.
“We must unite and focus on our common challenges rather than our differences. Poverty remains our common enemy, and it is only through collective effort and collaboration that we can achieve sustainable growth and development for the municipality,” he said. Participants included traditional leaders, heads of departments, youth groups, driver unions, teacher unions, persons with disabilities, women groups, market women, Assembly members, security personnel and members of the general public, many of whom were given the opportunity to ask questions and make contributions during the meeting
