By: KALD & Albert Kuzor | Voltaonlinegh.com|
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa on Tuesday inaugurated the newly created Anloga district assembly in the Anlo constituency, bringing to 18 the total number of local assemblies in the Volta region after the carving out of the Oti region.
The district, which was inaugurated alongside five new others nationwide, was carved out of the current Keta municipality and established under Legislative Instrument (LI) 2372 of 2018.
The coming into being of these new assemblies also brings the total number of Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country to 260.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Regional Minister at the inauguration ceremony held at the forecourt of the Anloga Shopping Centre, President Akufo-Addo, indicated that, his government was offering a new approach to doing things to drive the agenda for change, growth, job creation and prosperity for all.
This, he noted will certainly be achieved by bringing governance to the doorsteps of the people which will ensure effective and efficient decentralization through grassroots participation, better planning and improved service delivery in local communities.
According to the president, “The assemblies are an integral part of my vision for economic and social transformation provided in the coordinated programmes of economic and social development policies 2017-2024, which I presented to the parliament of Ghana,” adding, he was determined to fully meet the constitutional imperative to ensure the accountability of local government authorities.
He however urged stakeholders in the new district to support the assembly to ensure rapid development of the area.
The Awoamefia of Anlo, Torgbui Sri III, who was elated about the elevation of the Anlo traditional capital, to a district status, commended the president and his government for granting an age long desire of the chiefs and people of Anlo.
He noted that though the creation of the Anloga district was long overdue, its coming into being now would propel the needed socio-economic development of the area and assured the assembly of the unflinching support of the traditional authorities of Anlo.
Togbe Sri III however, urged the President to expedite work on the Keta Harbour project and also appealed for construction of some key access roads within the new district to ease transportation in the area.
A Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Collins Ntim said procurement processes have begun in earnest to supply the needed logistics and office equipment for a smooth takeoff of the assembly.
He added that, contract will soon be awarded for the construction of an office complex for the assembly, as it operates in parts of the Anloga Shopping Centre in the interim.
Mr. Ntim also applauded Togbe Sri III, for maintaining peace and order in the area and advised them to remain united for development.
On his part, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Seth Yormewu noted the splitting of the municipality into was in order, as it was becoming herculean administering the two constituencies of Keta and Anlo under one assembly effectively.
He acknowledged the support of all stakeholders during the struggle for the new district and lauded the President for giving meaning to the request last year.
The MCE thanked the Awoamefia, the Regional Minister, the NPP Regional Chairman, Mr. Makafui Woanyah and the two Members of Parliament for working assiduously to achieve this feat.
MP for Anlo, Mr. Clement Kofi HUmado, told voltaonlinegh.com on the sideline of the ceremony that, the creation of a separate district for the constituency was a dream come true and charged the constituents to bring all hands on deck for the forward march of the district.
The inauguration ceremony which witnessed a downpour was graced by past and present government functionaries, including the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Maxwell Blagodzi, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, as well as constituency and Regional officers of the governing NPP led by the chairman, Mr. Makafui Woanyah.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com