Yendi – Wednesday, February 9, 2022: Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have been charged to ensure harmonious working relationships with traditional authorities as indispensable partners for effective decentralized local governance. The charge was given by the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, (MLGDRD) Honorable Daniel Botwe when he paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, Ndan Ya-Na Abubakari II, King of Dagbon at Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.
The visit was to pay homage and inform him about an ongoing training programme for MMDCEs from the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Northern, Savannah, and Bono East Regions. The course which began on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, sought to among others create a platform to share experiences for feedback; deepen understanding of local governance, development management, and their responsibilities in the implementation of government flagship programmes.
Honorable Daniel Botwe was accompanied by two of his Deputies, Honorable O.B. Amoah, and Honorable Collins Ntim, the Northern Regional Minister, Honorable Shaibu Abubakar Saidu, the Head of the Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, other government functionaries, and some MMDCEs.
Honorable Botwe praised the King for his continuous counsel, direction, and advice as well as other traditional leaders whose efforts have contributed to national development over the years. He entreated the MMDCEs to regularly engage, build effective and cordial relationships with them to ensure their support in the performance of their roles.
Ya –Na Abubakari II through a spokesperson commended the government for empowering the MMDCEs to effectively perform their roles. He also commended pragmatic steps being taken by the government to address the perennial water crises during the dry season and the limited electricity coverage within the Yendi Municipality and its environs. He requested government through Hon. Botwe to expedite work on the Yendi Water supply system and the Rural Electrification projects to make these challenges a thing of the past. Ya -Na expressed optimism that the execution of the two projects would alleviate the plights of the people of Yendi.
Honorable Dan Botwe assured that Ya-Na’s concerns would be conveyed to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo on his return to Accra.