SEFWI WIAWSO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY HOLDS TOWN HALL

The Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly successfully held a town hall meeting on Tuesday, 20th June 2023, at the Municipal Assembly Hall. This important event was held in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which mandates Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to conduct such meetings in the second quarter of each year.

The meeting was structured into three segments: opening speeches, presentations, and a public interaction session.

The programme began with an opening prayer by Mr. Samuel D. Kumah, Assistant Budget Analyst. Mr. Bernard Ofosu, Assistant Development Officer, then introduced the Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Mohammed Yahaya Abudu, the Municipal Coordinating Director. Other dignitaries in attendance included:

• Mr. Lukeman Gariba – Communication and Knowledge Manager, Care International

• Mr. Sebastian Korese – Zonal Project Coordinator, Care International

Identifiable groups present were:

• Assembly Members

• Heads of Department of the Assembly and other government agencies

• Community Development Committee Leaders

• Village Savings and Loans Leaders

• Unit Committee Chairpersons

• Chairpersons of the Social Services and Justice & Security Sub-Committees

In his opening address, Mr. Mohammed Yahaya Abudu expressed appreciation to Care International for their partnership in organizing the event. He acknowledged the high expectations citizens have of the Assembly but cited economic constraints as a limiting factor in meeting all development goals.

He stressed the importance of the town hall meeting as a tool for accountability and education, helping citizens understand ongoing development efforts and encouraging greater civic participation. Mr. Abudu also reminded attendees that the Assembly had previously visited communities to gather input for the 2022–2025 Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), which is currently being implemented.

The presentation segment, expertly moderated by Mr. Samuel Kojo Okyere, Assistant Development Planning Officer, was projected on a giant screen and lasted thirty minutes. It featured a detailed visual display of completed and ongoing projects, as well as future plans. The presentation covered the following key topics:

• Objectives of the Presentation

• Background to Decentralization

• Legislative Framework for Planning and Implementation

• Performance for 2022

• Development Outlook for 2023

The final part of the meeting allowed for public questions, contributions, and responses from Assembly officials, including the Coordinating Director. Participants actively engaged in discussions, reflecting strong community interest in local governance and development.

The town hall meeting concluded with a renewed sense of collaboration and transparency between the Assembly and its stakeholders, setting the stage for continued development and improved service delivery in the municipality.