The Wenchi Municipal Assembly has held its 3rd Ordinary General Meeting of the 2nd Session of the 8th Assembly.
The meeting was one of the series of the Assembly’s Quarterly meetings to deliberate, consider and approve proposals including reports and recommendations from the Executive Committee (ExeCo).
The Presiding Member Samuel Mensah, in his Welcome Address, referred to the meeting as crucial and a clarion call on the House to fulfill its constitutional duty by considering and approving proposals and bills laid before it without fail and delay. He, however, lamented over the inability of the Assembly to implement 2021 policies due to delay in the appointment of Municipal Chief Executive hence the need to close the shortfall gaps in capital investments and revenue mobilisation. He stated that the Assembly’s performance in the area of revenue mobilisation and financial performance with regards to property rate, fees, rent and licenses has not been the best and must therefore, be given the needed attention.
The House approved the following proposals and bills laid before it by the Municipal Budget Analyst Desmond Titus Bannon;
2021 Revised Annual Action Plan, 2021 Revised Budget Estimates, Draft 2022 Composite Budget, Draft 2022 Fee Fixing Resolution, 2022 Annual Action Plan.
Reports and recommendations of the Executive Committee (ExeCo) was also discussed and considered.
In his maiden Sessional Address to the House, the Municipal Chief Executive Alexander Obour Damoah gave a comprehensive account on status of the municipality in all aspects;
Security
As the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) the MCE reported that despite the relative peace being enjoyed in municipality, the major challenges facing the area were chieftaincy disputes, armed robbery and reckless driving.
IGF
As at 31st October 2021, the Assembly generated GHC 731, 910.17 representing 77.5% of the budgeted revenue of GHC 944, 900). In the same vein, GHC 735, 521.33) representing 77.8% of budgeted expenditure of GHC 944, 900.00 had been spent. This reflects improvement in performance compared to same time 2020 performance of 59.8% and 58.3% of revenue and expenditure incurred respectively.
DACF/DPAT
GHC 543, 545.11 for 4th Quarter 2020 and 1st Quarter 2021, partly used to finance completed and ongoing projects and programmes.
The Assembly obtained 94% success in the just ended DPAT-5 exercise for 2020 year. GHC 243, 954.00 was received for District Performance Assessment Tool (2019 DPAT-4) exercise to be used for the furnishing of Dressing Room and auxiliary facilities of the Wenchi Sports Field. Monitoring and evaluation exercise would be carried out as soon as possible on DPAT-3 projects which were at various stages of completion. Road projects continue to be one of the priority areas of the Assembly. Government’s Flagship programmes being implemented in the municipality would be continued and monitored; 3, 196 farmers benefited from Planting for Food & Jobs, 135, 000 cashew seedlings were raised under the Planting for Export & Rural Development (PERD) programme. 5, 453 students are benefiting from the Free SHS policy in the 4 public SHS namely Koase SHTS, Wenchi SHS, Nchiraa SHS and Istiqaama SHS in the municipality where government bears tuition fees, free textbooks, free uniforms, free Maths, sets, free three square meals for borders, one hot lunch for Day students and all other associated costs.
23 projects at various stages of completion have been so far undertaken in the municipality under One Million Dollars per Constituency.
The 30 Million Euro Water Project being constructed is progressing steadily.
From January 2021, the Health Directorate recorded 155 positive cases of COVID-19 with 8 deaths. As at 15th November, 2021, 23, 325 of the population were vaccinated with AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines, remaining 38, 328 people to be vaccinated to achieve the targeted population. In a related development, 3 confirmed cases of Yellow Fever on referral from Bole – Bamboi of the Savanna Region with 2 deaths were recorded.
The Municipal Chief Executive assured the General Assembly of his determination to work towards improving the living conditions of all the people in the municipality with collaboration from stakeholders devoid of political, religious and ethnic biases.
Source: Information Services Department (ISD/WMA)
By: Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo