STORY BY INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Hon. Mohammed Bashiru Kamara, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ga Central Municipal Assembly together with his Entourage on Sunday, 14th August, 2022, embarked on a visitation to communities under the Agape electoral area (Agape top, Agape down, Pentecost junction) to interact with the landlords associations and residents.

Present at the meeting were the Municipal Coordinating Director, John Owusu Donkor, Assistance Director, Perpetual Owusu Nyarko, Assembly member for Agape electoral area, Hon. Gertrude Nana Frema, Municipal Internal Auditor, Abraham Odonkor, Municipal Transport Officer, Baffour Awuah, the Municipal Budget officer, Rita Boafo, Municipal Development Planning Officer, Akusika Agbozo, Municipal Physical Planning Officer, Ibrahim Omar, Chairman of Anyaa Zonal Council, Bernard Owusu Ansah.

In an opening remark, the Hon. MCE said, the Assembly has received a complaint from the Land Lord’s Associations on boundary-related issues. He said the Assembly is very much aware of the situation and is taken the needed steps to resolve it.
Hon. Bashiru went further to say that residents of Maame Nkran fall under the Ga Central Municipal Assembly if they vote within Hon. Gertrude Nana Fremah’s electoral area.
“By law, no electoral area shall belong to more than one district or constituency so since you vote under this constituency, you belong to Ga Central”, he opined.

CONCERNS FROM STAKEHOLDERS

• • Permit and taskforce related issue
• • Closure of shops
• • Meeting with Ga South
• • Disunity amongst residents
• • Infrequent visitation by the Assembly members
• • Lack of Police station and market
• • Road blockage

1. A participant of Maame-Nkran said the taskforce from the Ga Central Assembly came to seize equipment being used at his construction site because they said he did not have building permits. Hon. MCE in response said the building permit was a necessary good so it was important for him to acquire building permit before putting up a building. He went further to say that in the event that his property would have to be demolished because of any developmental projects, he can be compensated should he present a valid building permit.
2. A resident shared his worries on threats issued to them by the Ga South Municipal Assembly on the closure of their shops if they fail to pay their taxes( business Operating and Property rate) Hon. Bashiru responded saying that residents should make reference to this meeting, telling them of what had transpired. He also asked residents to be bold and tell them that they would be paying their property rates and business operating permits to Ga Central Municipal Assembly.
3. A resident from Agape top asked the MCE to arrange and resolve the boundary issue so that they as residents would have their peace of mind. Hon. Bashiru in response said, the meeting would be organized but in the meantime, residents of Maame Nkran belong to Ga Central. He went further to say that when residents need any development, it is the Ga Central Municipal Assembly that provides all the projects so they should keep in mind that Ga Central Municipal Assembly have them at heart. He also told residents to expect grading on some major roads from Tuesday, 16th August, 2022.
4. “Our Assembly member after seeking re-election has not been visiting her constituent often and that is not good”, a participant said. She said they (residents) do not have her contact to even reach out to her if they are faced with any challenge, also adding the lack of Police Station and market. The Hon. MCE entreated her to also find ways and means of getting her contact or knowing her house because the electoral area is very big and it would take the help of residents to make her succeed as an Assembly woman.
The Assembly woman for the electoral area also responded briefly saying that residents and their Assembly member must build a rapport and provided her phone number to participants.
5. Another participant wants the Assembly to take immediate steps in demolishing and getting an on-going construction sited on the road off the road. Hon. Bashiru assured him that he would inspect the place after the meeting to get first-hand information for broader consultation. In a closing address, the Hon. MCE asked the residents to formalize their concerns into writing and present at the Assembly. He admonished participants to build a resilient landlords association that would help bring development to their community. Hon. Bashiru praised the community for offering self-help by trying to construct a bridge by themselves. He however asked them to inform the Assembly before undertaking community project for proper guidelines.

He thanked everyone for making it to the meeting, assuring them that their concerns will be duly addressed. Hon. Bashiru then moved to inspect the site where on-going construction was being done on the road and ordered for the immediate demolishing of the structure.