SEFWI WIAWSO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING

In line with Section 40 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which mandates local assemblies to hold town hall meetings on the preparation of the annual budget and workplan in the third quarter of each year, the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly organized a town hall meeting on Thursday, 28th September 2023. The event took place at the Municipal Assembly Hall and aimed to foster transparency and public participation in local governance.

The meeting served a dual purpose: to review the performance of the 2023 workplan and budget as of September and to guide the development of the 2024 budget and workplan.

The first segment featured brief addresses by key dignitaries, followed by a presentation on the Assembly’s 2023 budget performance and 2024 projections. The final session was dedicated to public contributions, questions, and responses from Assembly officials, including the Municipal Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament.

The meeting was jointly moderated by Mr. William Boampong Oduro, Municipal Physical Planning Officer, and Mr. Louis Aggrey, the Municipal Planning Officer. A total of 77 participants attended the meeting (62 males and 15 females), reflecting strong community interest.

Following an opening prayer by Mr. Bediako Agyemang, the Municipal NADMO Coordinator, the Municipal Information Officer, Mr. Kafui Atisu, introduced the chairperson and other dignitaries, including:

• Hon. Martha Awuah – Presiding Member of the Assembly (Chairperson)

• Hon. Louis Owusu-Agyepong – Municipal Chief Executive

• Mr. Joseph K. Baah-Darkoh – Municipal Coordinating Director

• Mr. Ernest Tayi Yankson – Representative of the Western North Coordinating Council

• Madam Matilda Nkansah Baidoo – Representative of GIZ, co-sponsors of the programme

  
  

Also in attendance were Assembly Members, heads of departments, traditional council members, clergy (both Christian and Muslim), persons with disabilities (PWDs), GPRTU representatives, tutors, students, and media personnel.

Hon. Martha Awuah, in her opening remarks, thanked the organisers for selecting her as chairperson and emphasized the importance of the forum, calling on all stakeholders to actively support the process to ensure its success.

In his welcome address, Hon. Louis Owusu-Agyepong highlighted the significance of regular town hall meetings in promoting participatory governance and accountability. He expressed optimism that by the end of the session, all attendees would better understand their civic responsibilities and the Assembly’s role in local development.

Madam Matilda Nkansah Baidoo, speaking on behalf of GIZ, provided an overview of the organisation's role in supporting decentralization in Ghana. She explained that GIZ, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development, operates in the Western North Region from its base in Sefwi Wiawso. She encouraged participants to be proactive in contributing to the governance of their communities.

The presentations offered a detailed look into the Assembly's achievements in 2023 and the goals for 2024. Feedback gathered from the meeting will play a critical role in shaping the final budget and workplan for the upcoming year.

The town hall meeting concluded on a high note, with strong appreciation expressed for the inclusive and transparent approach adopted by the Assembly.