Posted 17th May 2024
The Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly on Friday, 17th May 2024 held its First Ordinary Meeting of the First Session of the Fifth Assembly at the Municipal Assembly Hall in Dunkwa-On-Offin.
The Presiding Member of the Assembly Hon. Kwesi Owusu Antwi welcomed everyone on behalf of the Assembly. He disclosed that the development of the Municipality depends on Assembly Members. He indicated that it is a collective effort together with management of the Assembly.
A motion was moved for the acceptance for the constitution of sub-committees. It was seconded. There was no counter motion.
The selection of Two (2) Honorable Assembly Members to serve on the Executive Committee as well as the selection of Five (5) Honorable Assembly Members to serve on the Public Relation and Complains Committee (PRCC) was done according to the Local Governance Act 936.
In his Sessional Address, the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Ebenezer Forson Appiah welcomed everyone as well as distinguished members to the First Ordinary Meeting of the First Session of the Fifth Assembly. He disclosed that to the new Honorable Assembly Members, it was in fulfilment of the Local Governance Act 936, (2016) section 28.
He indicated that the agenda reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of our community from infrastructure projects and budget allocations to community programs and policy initiatives. He took the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Assembly Members and Municipal Staffs. Your efforts are crucial in ensuring that our community strives and we meet the needs of all our residents.
He added that we may have different perspectives but our shed goal is to improve the quality of life for everyone in the Municipality. He noted that we should work together in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. He again took the opportunity to congratulate Hon. Kwesi Owusu Antwi on his ascension as the Presiding Member (PM) of the Assembly. He assured him of the necessary support for Staffs of the Assembly and all Assembly Members in the discharge of our duties. He introduced Mr. Emmanuel Kwabena Amwanchimbey-the new Municipal Coordinating Director.
Hon. Ebenezer Forson Appiah again disclosed that the Assembly has successfully put together the sub-committees which has been considered by this August House. He employed all sub-committees to take the necessary steps to organize their first meetings to elect their chairpersons to enable the Assembly to fully constitute the Executive Committee of the Assembly.
He again indicated that for clarification to the new Assembly Members, the sub-committees are mandated to discuss and bring to the fore pertinent issues for consideration of the Executive Committee and onward to the General Assembly for approval and implementation. He again added that it is critical that each member of every sub-committee ensure that sub-committee businesses are transacted with collaborative participation and insights.
He again noted that he wishes to assure this August House that the Assembly would strive to improve the collection of revenues under every revenue items to achieve the target as per the 2024 budget to enable the Assembly meet all of its approved obligations. He emphasized that we are all undoubtedly aware of the intention of government on the collection of Property Rate as passed by the Parliament of Ghana in 2022, which affected the collection of the revenue item for the fiscal year of 2023.
He again emphasized that however, in the year 2023, Economic Policy and Budget approved by Parliament over turned its earlier decision. Most importantly Management entreats Assembly Members to inform their electorates to pay what is due the Assembly to enable the Assembly meet the development obligations for the Municipality.
Hon. Ebenezer Forson Appiah further disclosed that the Assembly held a stakeholder engagement at the Dunkwa-On-Offin Main Lorry Station on Friday, 6th October 2023 to sensitize the general public and key stakeholders on how the project would be executed. He has the pleasure to inform this honorable house that the project has begun and it is expected to be completed in 12 months from the first month of commencement.
He further indicated that he wishes to use the opportunity to urge Honorable Assembly Members to prioritize peace through collaborations with the various Departments and Units to perform official tasks effectively in order to ensure orderliness within the Municipality during the incoming general elections. He further added that it is rather unfortunate to be witnessing the illegal mining activities on the Offin River. On Monday, 18th March 2024 MUSEC ceased and burnt 6 raft mining set ups (Toto Chanfen Machines) which were operating right under the main bridge of the Offin River.
He further noted that MUSEC Members and Management of the Assembly had an engagement with Dunkwahene and his sub-chiefs on illegal mining on the Offin River. Nananom at the meeting held on Tuesday, 26th March 2024 pledged their support for the Assembly to support the fight against illegal mining on the river body. Dunkwahene charged his sub-chiefs along the river body to ensure that such activities are stopped. He further emphasized that MUSEC Members have adopted to arrest and prosecute miners operating on the river, decommission and destroy equipment used by miners on the river and engaged reinforcement from the Regional Police Command when necessary.
Hon. Ebenezer Forson Appiah moreover disclosed that orientation for Assembly Members had already began in earnest. The recent orientation program for Elected Female Assembly Members took place at the Miklin Hotel-East Legon from the 13th to the 14th of May 2024. As a result, Management of the Assembly adequately arranged for the Two (2) Elected Female Assembly Members to attend. Whiles the Ministry has plans underway to execute yet another training for the rest of the Honorable Assembly Members.
He moreover indicated that it is paramount that Honorable Assembly Members note that their core mandates include collaborative efforts towards the enhancement of development and ensuring peace within the Municipality. As such, the Municipality is counting on them to be proactive in enforcing rules and regulations to support development in all the sectors such as education, sanitation, health, security and all aspects of social interventions.
He moreover added that another crucial mandate of the Honorable Assembly Member is to assume the responsibility of educating his/her Electoral Areas on the importance and benefits of the implementation of Government Policies and Assembly Bye-Laws, so as to help sustain a common goal as a Municipality. He moreover used the opportunity to thank the Traditional Council, the various Departments and Staffs as well as the Security Agencies, Media and General Public for their relentless collaborations towards the successful administration of the just ended Assembly.
He moreover noted that he looked forward to a good and beneficial working relationship with the new Assembly in order to improve on the development of the Municipality.
A motion was moved for the acceptance of the Sessional Address. It was seconded. There was no counter motion.
Engineer George Walker-Municipal Engineer briefed the house on progress of works at the Dunkwa Main Lorry Station.
Honorable Assembly Members also discussed their End of Service Emoluments.
Source: OBED ANNAN, Information Officer, UDEMA