Tuesday, February 19, 2019: The Head of the Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur and the Acting Chief Director of the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS), Mr. James Oppong-Mensah joined other government functionaries to inaugurate six newly created Assemblies. The OHLGS was present at the inaugural ceremonies of Korle-Klottey and Ablekuma Central Municipal Assemblies carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in 2018.
At the Korle-Klottey Municipal Assembly, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye thanked all who contributed towards the creation of the Assembly. He called for unity and cohesion among stakeholders in the performance of tasks; avoidance of potential issues that could degenerate into conflicts; but focus on things that would bring progress to the Assembly. The Senior Minister, Hon Yaw Osafo Marfo who performed the inaugural ceremony on behalf of the President at the same venue said the new Assemblies were created in accordance with provisions of the 1992 Constitution and Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). He urged the Assembly to intensify efforts at revenue generation especially from businesses and property rate to sustain its operations besides allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). Hon. Osafo-Marfo noted that the work of Assemblies were integral to the President’s efforts for economic and social transformation which includes creating opportunities for all Ghanaians; safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring a resilient built environment; maintaining a stable, united and safe country; and building a prosperous nation. He entreated stakeholders to be focused, committed and pursue the agenda of development with one purpose as government spearheaded efforts to accelerate and sustain decentralization.
In another inaugural ceremony at the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, Honourable Hajia Alima Mahama who performed the ceremony on behalf of the President admonished the municipal authority to prioritise revenue mobilisation to ensure the availability of resources for the delivery of the Assembly’s mandate. She called on residents of the municipality to collaborate with the Assembly for successful provision of social services. She expressed her determination to support efforts aimed at meeting the constitutional requirement of accountability by local government authorities and urged all to back government’s decision to have MMDCEs elected for greater efficiency.
The Member of Parliament of the Korle-Klottey constituency, Hon. Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings was also appreciative of the initiative and subsequent creation of the new Assembly. She was hopeful that the new Assembly would contribute in addressing the problems of poor sanitation, perennial flooding and youth unemployment that had long plagued the area. She called for detailed needs assessment to identify the needs of the municipality to inform the formulation of appropriate interventions, resource allocation and utilization.
The new Assemblies were provided with copies of the Legislative Instrument establishing them. Korle-Klottey Assembly was presented with thirty (30) waste bins and ten (10) tricycles; and customized poly bags for waste collection by Zoomlion Gh. Ltd and Jekora Ventures respectively. The ceremony at Ablekuma Central also witnessed the swearing in of elected Assembly Members of the area and the presentation of computers and other office equipment to facilitate the performance of work.
Present at the ceremonies were representatives of the Office of the President and traditional authorities; Assembly Members; Opinion Leaders; Chiefs; Chief Executives and Staff of the new Assemblies.
The inauguration of the Korle-Klottey and Ablekuma Central Municipal Assemblies together with 4 other Assemblies namely; Ayawaso Central Municipal, Achiase District, Anloga District and North East Gonja District Assemblies brings to 260, the total number of District Assemblies in the country.