The government has started its participatory governance series, Town Hall Meetings, to showcase development projects undertaken since assuming office in 2017.
The Town Hall Meetings, which is a collaboration between the Ministries of Information and Finance, started in the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday with a photo exhibition of development projects in all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The Minister for Information, Mrs Fatimatu Abubakar, noted that the event aimed to promote inclusiveness, accountability and participatory governance nationwide while aligning with the performance tracker initiative to enhance transparency and accountability for government projects.
Mrs Abubakar added that the Town Hall Meetings would enable regional ministers, chief executive officers of the various assemblies and sector ministers to answer questions from the public about what they have been able to achieve in the past 7 and half years.
She said feedback from interactions with the public would assist the government’s future policies and programmes.
She stated, “Our goal is to create a government that listens, responds and acts in the best interest of its people. These town hall meetings are a step towards achieving that vision. We are building a future where every Ghanaian feels included and empowered to contribute to our nation’s growth.â€
Mrs Abubakar further noted that the Ministry intends to visit every regional capital in the country by November 12, 2024, to engage with the people in their local dialects.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, highlighted several notable achievements in the region, attributing significant infrastructure improvements to the government’s efforts.
He cited key projects like the Pokuase Interchange, Borteyman Roads and the Lekma Road, which have enhanced connectivity in the region. He stated, “We all know the Pokuase Interchange, the four-tier that we drive through going to Ga West on our way to Nsawam. The Borteyman roads, once appalling, now resemble Dubai in their quality. The Lekma Road, crucial for residents from Ledzokuku, is another testament to our progress.â€
He further mentioned ongoing projects like the Tema Beach Road, the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, and various asphalt overlays in La-Nkwantanang-Madina, Ayawaso, Adentan, and Ablekuma.
These projects, he noted, are essential in easing traffic congestion and improving transportation infrastructure.
According to the Minister, the region has seen significant development in sports infrastructure, such as the completion of the University of Ghana Sports Complex and the Borteyman Complex, which hosted the African Games.
Education infrastructure has also been enhanced with the establishment of the New Century Technical Institute in Dansoman and the Accra High School Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEM) Center.
“The Kayaye Complexes in Madina and Ashaiman, designed to provide employable skills to young women, are also a testament to the government’s efforts,†he added.
The Regional Minister also highlighted the construction of judicial infrastructure, including new district courts in Sowutuom and Achimota and the Law Complex used by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.
Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of various factories under the “One District, One Factory†initiative, such as the Navina Cartel Government Limited and the Mango Juice Factory in Shai Osudoku.
On housing, he disclosed that the government recently commissioned a 32-unit housing project for the police administration in Tesano as part of a broader effort to provide housing for security services and public servants.
The Minister expressed confidence in the ongoing projects’ positive impact on the region’s development and urged continued support and collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of these initiatives.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
