JANUARY
Inauguration Of Akweley Zonal Council
The concept of decentralization in Local Governance was given an impetus following the inauguration of the Akweley Zonal Council by the Municipal Assembly on 30th January, 2023. The Zonal Council is the first of six Zonal Councils to be inaugurated in a couple of weeks. In a power point presentation, the role of the zonal councils were clearly spelt out by the Assembly.
Apart from bringing government closer to the doorsteps of the people, the inauguration will further enhance revenue mobilization of the Assembly.
In an interview, a cross-section of members of the public expressed their gratitude to the Assembly for eventually heeding to their call.
Below are some pictures
FEBRUARY
INAUGURATION OF CP WALANTU ZONAL COUNCIL
The CP Walantu Zonal Council of Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly was inaugurated on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023.
In attendance were coordinating director of Awutu Senya East Mr. Bernard K P Sakyiama, senior staff, distinguish dignitaries and elected members of the council.
There was a power point presentation on the composition, committees, challenges and roles of the members.
The CP Walantu Zonal Council is one of the six zonal council inaugurated by the Assembly.
Below are some pictures
INAUGURATION OF OPEIKUMA ZONAL COUNCIL
The Opeikuma Zonal Council of Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly was inaugurated on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023.
In attendance were coordinating director of Awutu Senya East Mr. Bernard K P Sakyiama, senior staff, and committee members of the council.
There was a power point presentation on the composition, committees, challenges and roles of the members.
The Opeikuma Zonal Council is one of the six zonal council inaugurated by the Assembly.
Below are some pictures
INAUGURATION OF ADAM NANA ZONAL COUNCIL
The Adam Nana Zonal Council of Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly was inaugurated on Monday, 6th February, 2023.
In attendance were coordinating director of Awutu Senya East Mr. Bernard K P Sakyiama, senior staff, distinguish dignitaries and elected members of the council.
There was a power point presentation on the composition, committees, challenges and roles of the members.
The Adam Nana Zonal Council is one of the six zonal council inaugurated by the Assembly.
Below are some pictures
Electoral dispute at the inauguration of Adam Nana/Kpotemey Zonal Council
As part of Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (ASEMA)’s goal to revamp the zonal councils within the Municipality, today marked the inauguration of the Adam Nana/Kpotemey Zonal Council.
Members of the unit committees were educated as constituted by the bye laws: LI 1967 and local governance 2016 Act 936 on the rules to abide in the course of their tenures as well as the expansion of revenue mobilisation within their various electoral areas.During the period of electing both members and chairperson of the Adam Nana/Kpotemey Zonal Council, a dispute arose between the unit committee members present and the electoral commissioners.The conflict ensued when the electoral commissioner pointed out that there was one gentleman, present during the inauguration, who was not elected as a unit committee member despite being one of the aspirants during the electoral process.However, the unit committee members oppose this statement by insisting that the gentleman who was later known as Erasmus Amunu, had the second highest vote within his electoral area. Also, he was committed to his duty as a unit committee member of Adam Nana electoral area.Despite, the electoral commissioner’s effort in explaining the processes of electing a unit committee member, this did not assuage the doubts of the unit members present about the electoral results with some refusing to participate in the election of zonal council members.This prompted the commissioner to ask for the pink sheet, a document highlighting the individual valid votes as obtained by each aspirant, from the members. However, the members stated that they did not have nor requested for a pink sheet.The disagreement continued for a while with both sides unable to reach a resolution. The electoral commissioner argued that no changes could be made to the elected names in spite of the complaints against one Madam Caroline, an electee, about her work conduct since the names of electees have been documented and gazetted.The members, on the other hand, argued that Madam Caroline has been absent for their unit committee meetings, together with eschewing her responsibilities whereas Mr. Erasmus Amunu has been dedicated towards work for several months.The intervention of both Mr Bernard K.P Sakyiama, Municipal Co-ordinating Director and Mr Jones Darko Kwarteng, Presiding Member, led to a compromise between both sides. Elections were carried out peaceful as members hoped the Assembly would take uponthis issue.
Members on Panel 2 interviewing an applicant
MARCH
Safety environment, judges, concern to judiciary-CJStory by Isaac L. Commey
The environment in which court business is conducted nation-wide and safety of our judges, Magistrates, Lawyers, staff and members of the public who patronize the court is of prime concern to the Judicial Service, the Chief Justice (CJ), His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah, has observed,
Inaugurating an ultra- modern High Court at Jei River, a suburb of Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Municipality on 30th March 2023, the CJ averred that “We in the Judicial Service are highly delighted to have this court serve the justice needs of the people of this area”.
The CJ noted further that the inauguration marked the actualization of a long term dream of the Judicial Service to enhance physical infrastructure needs of the judiciary, the lack of which militate against the effective operation of the courts.
According to the Chief Justice, it is evident that the judicial service’s faith and total support of moves to enhance administration of justice within the judicial district of the fastest-growing municipality and its environs has been realized.
Justice Anin Yeboah expressed the hope that the heavy case load at the Swedru and Winneba High Courts would be offloaded following the inauguration of the new High Court.
Later this year, the Circuit Court which is also housed at the premises of the High Court would be retooled as a child- friendly gender-based violent court to handle domestic violence cases which usually affect women and children who are the most vulnerable in society, the CJ emphasized.
He said the ultra-modern edifice is part of government’s reforms to provide over one hundred befitting courts across the country, a feat he described as unprecedented.
He thanked the Municipal Assembly and Nananom for releasing land for the project and also lauded the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund for constantly providing funds for the timely completion of the project.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Central Regional Internal Auditor, Mr. Waxzy Balikia Mukaila, the Central Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold Assan noted that it is government’s aspiration to ensure efficient judicial service delivery across the country and Kasoa in particular considering the cosmopolitan nature of the municipality.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya East, Hon Anita Obo Amissah reiterated that conflict resolution and human rights are inseparable phenomenon in society hence the Assembly’s quest to make justice delivery accessible to the populace.
A representative of the chief of Odupong, Nai Awushie Tetteh, Nai Dr. Akortia Obeng revealed that the construction of the High Court followed an instruction by the former Chief Justice, Her Ladyship, Mrs. Justice Georgina Theodora Woode during the commissioning of the Circuit Court during her tenure.
Nai Dr.Akortia Obeng however decried the naming of the new court as Kasoa High Court without consulting Nananom for the appropriate name to depict the traditional area.
In a sharp response, the Chief Justice acknowledged the concern of the traditional authorities and promised to immediately change the name to Odupong High Court to reflect the traditional area.
APRIL
Mavis Hawa Koomson woos Hospital Project to ASEMA- MCE
Story by Isaac L. Commey
The Awutu Senya East Municipality (ASEMA) is set to benefit from an ultra-modern hospital project under the “Agenda 111” programme of the government.
The facility which include nurses’ quarters and ancillary facilities would be sited at Awushie Tetteh, a suburb of Kasoa.
The MCE for the municipality, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah who disclosed this at the First Ordinary Meeting of the Third Assembly on 27th April, 2023 thanked the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson for her instrumentality in wooing the project to the municipality. The MCE was also thankful to the chiefs of Ofaakor Traditional Area for releasing land for the project.
The Agenda 111 is a government policy initiative aimed at building one hundred and eleven hospitals in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.
Giving account of her stewardship over the period under review, the MCE catalogued projects such as pothole patching, grading, construction of speed humps on selected roads, desilting of open drains, dredging of 4.2 km stretch of Okurudu River among others as successes chocked.
She hinted further that in partnership with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Assembly constructed a steel bridge over the Okurudu River at American Town whilst plans are far advanced to construct 5.3km road network from Jei River Junction to the Assembly as part the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP).
Hon. Anita Obo Amissah averred that as part of the Assembly’s efforts to expand the scope of revenue mobilization, six zonal councils of the municipality were inaugurated. This includes Akweley/Kaemebre, CP/ Wallantu, Opeikuma/Krispo, Adam Nana/Kpormetey Ofaakor and Kasoa Iron City Area Councils.
In the area of administration, the Assembly procured four laptop and three desktop computers, three printers and stationery for smooth operation of the Assembly, the MCE stressed.
MAY
Launch of Apps and Short codes on Sanitation and Abuse.
On the 8th May, 2023, the Ghana Statistical Service in collaboration with Awutu Senya East Assembly (ASEMA) and various sponsors organised an event to launch two main apps and short codes. The apps are ‘CleanApp Ghana’ to collect information on sanitation issues and ‘Let’s talk app’ to gather information on various forms of gender-based abuses within the Awutu Senya East Municipality. Both apps can be download for free on google play store and apple store. Short codes *920*58# and *800*818# for sanitation and gender-based abuses respectively are made available to gather such information if unable to access the internet.
The apps and short codes offer anonymity which is an impossibility when reporting such cases to their respective agencies or institutions. However, there is an available option should the compliant be willing to further pursue the case. A toll-free number is given if a person wants to report both on sanitation and gender-based abuse.
The launching of the Apps began by a march from the New Market Junction through various villages to Kasoa. Accompanying the march were the security service, vehicles from both the Statistical Service, and Awutu Senya East Assembly, music, and public address system to inform the populace on the ways to use both apps and short codes.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Madam Anita Love Obo Amissah addressed the populace at Kasoa on the relevance of this initiative. Sanitation crises and domestic abuse are amongst the challenges that the Municipality has faced over the years. Emphasizing on sanitation and hygiene problems, the MCE encouraged the residents to make the Municipality, especially Kasoa as one of the cleanest within the country by using these apps and codes when the need arises.
The Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mr. Bernard K.P. Sakyiama also addressed the public on the reason for this initiative which is to tackle the inadequacy of information related to sanitation and abuse. This plan would, therefore, facilitate decision making process related to these topics within the Municipality. He also answered questions that were raised on financing of waste management, contractors assigned to waste collection as well as equipment.
RAINY SEASON INTERVENTION: In collaboration with the Member of Parliament Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson, I made provision for a footbridge this morning to temporary aid a safer crossing of a natural physical obstacle ( Okrudu Gutter) at Jomens-Kpormetey Electoral Area, pending a permanent structure or solution to the challenge.
This decision to provide temporary footbridge was made during my periodic visit with the NPP’s aspiring Assembly Member and Party Faithfuls in the Municipality to get first-hand information regarding challenges from the people we serve on the ground.
Residents living in the said area can now cross to “Zone 6”, the Presbyterian School, Police Barracks and other surrounding communities a bit safer than before.
Menstrual Hygiene Day: This day is significantly celebrated because many in low-income communities do not have access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products and also advocate for improved access to menstrual products.
In view of this I joined the Municipal Directorate of Education led by the Director, Mrs Faustina Alimatu Braimah, The Municipality Health Directorate and Representatives from Ghana Commercial Bank Limited to observe the day. I also distributed some sanitary pads to them as a demonstration of examplary action.
It is also important to note that the day also stresses upon acquiring knowledge, especially our young girls about our bodies, menstrual cycles, and reproductive health.
Hon Anita Love Obo Amissah, MCE – Awutu Senya East Municipality
JUNE
ASEMA PLANTS 7000 SEEDLINGS ON GREEN GHANA DAY-PM
Report by
Isaac L. Commey
The Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly joined sister Assemblies across the region to mark this year’s edition of the Green Ghana Day held on Friday, 9th June 2023.
This year’s episode took a unique dimension as staff of the Assembly were dispatched in groups to the various Zonal Council jurisdictions to plant different tree species unlike the previous years where staff and management converge at a selected venue for the exercise.
The Zonal Councils are Ofaakor, Akweley, Opeikuma, Iron City, Adam Nana and CP- Wallantu.
The Green Ghana project is a presidential initiative introduced by president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo in 2021 aimed at planting at least 10 million trees every year across the country to restore the vegetation cover which has been depleted through various human activities such as mining, quarrying, farming, logging, sand winning among others.
At the Mother and Child Poly- Clinic in the CP Electoral Area, the Assembly Members for Wallantu and CP Electoral Areas joined forces to augment staff of the Assembly to plant Acacia and Teak species to restore the vegetation in that locality.
In a short address, Hon. Dotse, the Assembly Member for the CP Electoral Area lauded the participants for the massive patronage which made the day’s exercise a laudable one.
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Hon. Jones Darko Kwarteng who deputized for the MCE launched the Green Ghana project at the Odupon Tradtional Area closed to Odupon Forest.
Flanked by representatives from the Traditional Area and personnel from the Forestry Commission, the Presiding Member hinted that 7000 seedlings were supplied to the Assembly for the exercise.
JULY
Eschew vandalism, malpractices MCE to BECE candidates
Story by ISD Desk
Candidates taking part in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Awutu Senya East Municipality have been admonished to eschew all forms of misconduct including vandalism of school property as part of their exit phenomenon.
This admonition comes at the wake of destruction of school properties by some deviant BECE candidates after taking their last paper in some schools in the recent past.
The MCE, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah gave the advice last Monday 7th August, 2023 when she toured some examination centers in the municipality to acquaint herself with the progress of the exams.
Accompanied by the Coordinating Director of the Municipal Assembly, Mr. Siegfried Kwame Addo, the Municipal Director of Education and some senior officers from the two institutions, the MCE also charged the candidates to make themselves and their parents proud by eschewing all forms of examination malpractices and excel in the exams.
A total of 8,760 candidates from 292 schools are taking part in the 2023 Basic School Certificate Examination in the Awutu Senya East Municipality. Out of figure, 4,181 are from public schools whilst 4,579 candidates are from private schools. The schools comprised of 245 private schools and 47 public schools.
Regarding gender statistics, 1,954 males and 2,227 females are from the public schools. In respect of the private schools 2,253 males and 2,326 females were presented.
Interestingly, 8,484 candidates sat for the Fantsi paper whilst 276 sat for Ga, Ewe, Asante and Akuapem Twi respectively.
Some of the centers toured by the MCE and her entourage include Emmanuel Presby School, Devine Grace School, Odupon Cluster of Schools, Awushie Tetteh and Odupon Senior High Schools among others.
Some candidates in an exclusive interview with ISD expressed optimism about their success in the week-long examination.
The MCE (in sleet and Kaba) addressing candidates. With her are Mr. Siegfried Kwame Addo, MCD and Madam Faustina Alimatu Braimah, Municipal Director of Education
AUGUST
Eschew vandalism, malpractices MCE to BECE candidates
Story by ISD Desk
Candidates taking part in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Awutu Senya East Municipality have been admonished to eschew all forms of misconduct including vandalism of school property as part of their exit phenomenon.This admonition comes at the wake of destruction of school properties by some deviant BECE candidates after taking their last paper in some schools in the recent past.The MCE, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah gave the advice last Monday 7th August, 2023 when she toured some examination centers in the municipality to acquaint herself with the progress of the exams.
Accompanied by the Coordinating Director of the Municipal Assembly, Mr. Siegfried Kwame Addo, the Municipal Director of Education and some senior officers from the two institutions, the MCE also charged the candidates to make themselves and their parents proud by eschewing all forms of examination malpractices and excel in the exams.
A total of 8,760 candidates from 292 schools are taking part in the 2023 Basic School Certificate Examination in the Awutu Senya East Municipality. Out of figure, 4,181 are from public schools whilst 4,579 candidates are from private schools. The schools comprised of 245 private schools and 47 public schools.
Regarding gender statistics, 1,954 males and 2,227 females are from the public schools. In respect of the private schools 2,253 males and 2,326 females were presented.
Interestingly, 8,484 candidates sat for the Fantsi paper whilst 276 sat for Ga, Ewe, Asante and Akuapem Twi respectively.
Some of the centers toured by the MCE and her entourage include Emmanuel Presby School, Devine Grace School, Odupon Cluster of Schools, Awushie Tetteh and Odupon Senior High Schools among others.
Some candidates in an exclusive interview with ISD expressed optimism about their success in the week-long examination.
The MCE (in sleet and Kaba) addressing candidates. With her are Mr. Siegfried Kwame Addo, MCD and Madam Faustina Alimatu Braimah, Municipal Director of Education
MCE’s entourage
SEPTEMBER
ST PARTRICK SCHOOL EXCURSION TO THE AWUTU SENYA EAST MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY (ASEMA)
On the 7th September, 2023 St. Patrick High School paid a visit to the Awutu Senya Municipal Assembly for educational purpose. The school was welcomed by the Municipal Chief Executive and the Municipal Coordinating Director.
In a meeting following the visit, the school engaged with the municipal chief Executive in question and answers sessions.
Students of Saint Patrick High School asked questions on the responsibility of the Local Government which includes Education and Sanitation especially in the municipality.
The MCE in her address made it known that, she is the representative of the President in the Municipal and presides over all administrative duties in the Assembly. Subsequently, the MCE answered the questions accordingly. She highlighted the recently deterrence enforced to reduce indiscriminate waste disposal in the Central Business District especially. Also, the Landlord Association and the Zonal Councils assist in enhancing sanitation levels across the municipal.
She further emphasized the inability to extend government opportunities and resources to private owned schools due to their sole proprietorship ownership. However, she acknowledged the efforts of private teachers in promoting education. She stated that efforts are made to include all private schools in event held in the municipality such as the Independence Day Anniversary Celebration. The MCE made it known that efforts are being made to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to assist private owned schools in the municipality.
The students were encouraged by the NCCE Director to focus on the academic studies as their future successes depends mostly on them. The contingents that visited the Assembly were Sixty (60) students together with their teachers led by Mr. Augustine Antwi.
OCTOBER
FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19: 50 FRONTLINE PERSONNEL AWARDED
Story by ISD Desk
A ceremony has been held to honour health professionals and paramedics who worked their hearts out to save lives and property during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic at the peril of their lives.
The joint ceremony brought together doctors, nurses and personnel from the National Ambulance Service from Awutu Senya District and the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly as well as a cross- session of distinguished individuals.
It would be recalled that on 14th March 2023, the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo set the tone at a national award ceremony to award distinguished frontline health personnel and allied health staff for their tireless and selflessness during the wake of the coronavirus that ravaged the global economy.
Addressing a durbar held in honour of the awardees at the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (ASEMA) on 5th July 2023, the MCE, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah lauded the awardees for their relentless spirit to save lives at the peak of the pandemic.
The MCE reminded the audience to take a cue from the ceremony and consider the impact of their respective roles on society as their passion and efforts in their endeavours are being monitored though inadvertently.
The award ceremony formed part of a nation- wide efforts to award frontline health personnel and paramedics at Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies where about 14,000 personnel are expected to be awarded.
In all, a total of 50 individuals were presented with certificates signed by the president of the republic.
NOVEMBER
ACHIEVING 100% COVID-19 IMMUNITY: INOCULATION OF JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE 3RD DOSE LAUNCHED IN AWUTU SENYA EAST.
Story by ISD Desk
Stakeholders in the fight against covid-19 have clamoured for all hands on deck approach to make inroads as vaccine hesitancy continue to be rife among the vast majority of populace in the cities.
This has become necessary as available statistics showed that 6.1 per cent of the population of the Awutu Senya East Municipality for instance, have not taken the jabs since 2021.
Contributing to discussions at a launch of the third dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine inoculations at the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mr. Justice Anim observed that approximately 8,500 of the population of the municipality representing 6.1 per cent remained unvaccinated.
The Disease Control Officer charged his colleague health professionals who would be dispatched for the vaccination exercise across the designated points to blend strategy and experience to enable the municipality achieve 100 per cent vaccination target.
Whilst urging individuals who have taken the first and second doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to avail themselves for the third dose, the Director of Health Service of the Municipality, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo emphasized that the only means to attain immunity from future variants of the covid-19 disease is to complete the process by taking the third dose of the vaccine.
It would be recalled that a couple of weeks ago, some frontline health personnel and paramedics from the municipality and their counterparts from the Awutu Senya District were awarded by the president for their selflessness and hard work during the peak of the covid-19 pandemic.
This feat according to Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo was attributable to the collaboration of all stakeholders and was of firm believe that same would be replicated by the health personnel.
The MCE, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah who graced the occasion called for massive public education campaign against the misconception about the vaccination exercise among the populace to achieve a total immunity.
The vaccination forms part of a five days nation- wide exercise being embarked upon by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
DECEMBER
ESCHEW VANDALISM, MALPRACTICES MCE TO BECE CANDIDATES
Story by ISD Desk
Candidates taking part in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Awutu Senya East Municipality have been admonished to eschew all forms of misconduct including vandalism of school property as part of their exit phenomenon.
This admonition comes at the wake of destruction of school properties by some deviant BECE candidates after taking their last paper in some schools in the recent past.
The MCE, Hon. Anita Obo Amissah gave the advice last Monday 7th August, 2023 when she toured some examination centers in the municipality to acquaint herself with the progress of the exams.
Accompanied by the Coordinating Director of the Municipal Assembly, Mr. Siegfried Kwame Addo, the Municipal Director of Education and some senior officers from the two institutions, the MCE also charged the candidates to make themselves and their parents proud by eschewing all forms of examination malpractices and excel in the exams.
A total of 8,760 candidates from 292 schools are taking part in the 2023 Basic School Certificate Examination in the Awutu Senya East Municipality. Out of figure, 4,181 are from public schools whilst 4,579 candidates are from private schools. The schools comprised of 245 private schools and 47 public schools.
Regarding gender statistics, 1,954 males and 2,227 females are from the public schools. In respect of the private schools 2,253 males and 2,326 females were presented.
Interestingly, 8,484 candidates sat for the Fantsi paper whilst 276 sat for Ga, Ewe, Asante and Akuapem Twi respectively.
Some of the centers toured by the MCE and her entourage include Emmanuel Presby School, Devine Grace School, Odupon Cluster of Schools, Awushie Tetteh and Odupon Senior High Schools among others.
Some candidates in an exclusive interview with ISD expressed optimism about their success in the week-long examination.