Author: orccgov

He ended his speech by appealing to members to kindly give him an ananimous confirmation to prove the competence of the president of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.

The member of parliament for Jasikan Constituency, Hon. Kofi Adams in his remarks appealed to the people of Jasikan to eschew unity in the Constituency in order to ensure even development as they seek hundred per cent confirmation for the MCE nominee.

The Oti Regional Minister Hon . John Kwadwo Gyapong in his speech assured the people of Jasikan Municipal that, they were going to get the best MCE ever due to his hard work in the party and general humanitarian lifestyle.

 He therefore appealed to members not to hesitate to give him hundred percent (100%) confirmation to set the tone for Oti, as the first district to confirm it’s MCE.

He then task the magistrate to swear- in the government appointed assembly members to have a complete house of thirty nine 39 members for the confirmation. Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong ended his speech by thanking the Assembly members for the confirmation and congratulated the newly confirmed MCE Hon. parke Davis Magyigbe who pulled thirty three (33) votes out of thirty nine member house representing eighty four points six 84.6 percent of the house.

The confirmed MCE in his acceptance remarks thanked the member of parliament, president regional minister and the Assembly members for reposing confidence in him by giving him an excellent confirmation. He also said ” as I prepare to take my role as MCE, I pledge to listen and learn from my people ” He ended by assuring his Constituency of striving to ensure development in the municipality

He ended his speech by appealing to members repeat the the history that has been set for twice since the beginning of this assembly in on October 8, 2021.

The member of parliament for Guan  Constituency, Hon. Fred Agbanyo in his remarks appealed to the people of Guan to prioritize unity in the Constituency in order to ensure even development as they seek hundred per cent vote confirmation for the DCE nominee.

The Oti Regional Minister Hon . John Kwadwo Gyapong in his speech appealed to members to vote hundred percent (100%) confirmation to affirm the tone Jasikan assembly set this morning.

He then task the Hohoe circuit court judge to swear- in the government appointed assembly members to have a complete house of nineteen members for the confirmation.

 Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong ended his speech by urging the Assembly members for Guan to do due diligence by confirming the president DCE nominee,  Hon. Godfried Koku Kofie. 

The confirmed DCE, Hon. Godfried Koku Kofie who pulled fifteen (15) votes representing seventy nine percent (79%) of the total number of nineteen assembly member, in his acceptance remarks thanked the member of parliament, president regional minister and the Assembly members for reposing confidence in him by confirming him.

He promise to work hard to upgrade health service delivery in Guan district. He also assured the constituents of his commitment to renovate and complete abandoned educational facilities in the district to enhance teaching and learning in the district. On health, he assured people of empowering Community Water and Sanitation to provide portable water for the district to eliminate waterborne diseases.

The DCE added that, he will lobby with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to develop irrigation system for the district to boost agriculture due to it been the backbone of every successful economy.

He ended by appealing to his Constituents to unite and support him to develop the district.

The high table was made up of Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, member of parliament for Guan Fred Agbanyo, Oti Regional Coordinating Director (chief director) Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Regional NDC secretary Gabriel Samora Lamboe, Regional NDC organizer Sulemana Mumuni, assistant 1, prince Latif Oyekunle, Oti Regional Human Resource Manager miss Janet Sambo, Oti Regional Public Relations Officer Ezekiel Yaw Banyibor, Guan District Coordinating Director Sylvester Ayitey, presiding Member for Guan District Assembly etc

Conclusively, the confirmation process ended successful.

In his welcome address, Mr. Gustav Kudzo Brempong, Principal of Yabram Community Senior High School, urged the students to fully engage in all activities of the program. He emphasized that as youth leaders, they would face various challenges, including climate change, social inequality and injustice, economic uncertainty and unemployment, technological disruption and cybersecurity threats, and global health pandemics and crises. He encouraged them to develop the skills, knowledge, and character required to lead and make a positive impact.

The program was enriched by the contributions of various collaborators, including:
Mr Adams Braimah and Mad. Mercy Yaa of The Ghana Health Service through the Krachi East Directorate, engaged the students in both mental health education and reproductive health. They were encouraged to prioritise their health and social well-being, enabling them to make sound decisions as leaders and seek help when necessary.
Mr Gagakumah Kwame Setrakor, Regional Deputy Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) enlightened the youth on the kind of leaders they aspire to be and the type of citizens they should aim to become as part of the developmental process.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection led by Mrs Esther Hammond Doe, Ag Regional Director accompanied by Mr Samuel Edem Kpeli of the Regional MIS Unit stressed the importance of seeking guidance and utilizing available resources and their contributions as essential to national development, she noted. She further on educated the youth on their roles as youth leaders and encouraged them to seek assistance from local and governmental institution when needed.

Edward Marfo of The Youth Empowerment Consortium and Mr Henry Dodzi Gakpe, Office of Public Labour and Employment, inspired the participants to take active roles in protecting the environment and to become ambassadors of climate change advocacy.
Officer Destiny Selormey of The Ghana Police Service through the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), educated participants on harassment, abuse, and defilement. The youth were encouraged to know their bodies and rights, say no to sexual harassment, speak up against defilement, and report abuse. They were also charged to protect their future by making informed choices and seeking help when necessary.
The Ghana Education Service through the regional directorate: Representatives of the Regional Director were present to observe the program and affirm their continuing support for the program and the advancement of education and the holistic development of the students.

A major highlight of the program centred on tolerance and peace-building, career guidance, and leadership development. Mrs. Cecilia Fiaka, Principal of the Nneka Youth Foundation, addressed the gathering when representatives of the Regional Director of Education were present. She noted that the Foundation’s largest collaborator is the Ghana Education Service, but in recent times, challenges have arisen in getting teachers and heads of schools to fully understand the Foundation’s role in advancing education. She called on educational authorities to advocate for the Foundation and emphasized that the Oti Region, being one of the youngest regions among the sixteen regions in Ghana, would greatly benefit from educating and guiding its youth toward accelerated progress and development.

Although the program aimed to host a bigger number of participants, 63 participants were recorded due to limited preparation time on the part of the students and the organizer. However, the summit was considered highly successful, having made a significant impact on those who were present. The event organizers agreed to make it an annual event moving forward.
Certificates of participation were awarded to the youth leaders, who pledged to become change-makers, beginning with their schools and communities. The best youth leaders were rewarded with books and other items following their presentations on behalf of their groups. Additionally, the career workshop clinics provided valuable guidance, enlightening the participants about their aspirations and encouraging them to set attainable goals.

The organizers and collaborators expressed their satisfaction with the program’s outcome. The Nneka Youth Foundation also extended its gratitude to all supporters, the host school, volunteers, and benevolent donors for their dedication and commitment throughout the event.

The Minister then proceeded to the Krachi West Municipal Assembly, where he presented 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 to help address the furniture deficit in schools within the municipality.

He further assured the people that the government, in collaboration with private investors, is working towards establishing a water supply system to improve access to clean and safe drinking water in the municipality and surrounding districts.

Additionally, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Mahama-led administration to constructing a bridge over the Oti River, linking Dambai to Krachi, a project that will significantly boost transportation and economic activities in the region.

He urged the Assembly to prioritize the completion of ongoing projects before initiating new ones and emphasized the need to also focus on the welfare of staff to enhance productivity within the local government structure.

Following the private discussions, Hon. Gyapong met with the entire staff of the Assembly to gather first-hand information on pertinent matters affecting the district. During this session, staff members had the opportunity to voice their concerns and present their ideas for advancing development in Kadjebi.

The Minister then proceeded to inspect ongoing projects within the district, with a key focus on the Kadjebi Lorry Station, which is near completion, pending its final phase. Hon. Gyapong urged the District Coordinating Director to ensure that all ongoing projects in the district are completed before new projects are initiated. Being a native of Kadjebi himself, the Minister assured the people of his commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the lorry station, making it fit for purpose.

Concluding the first day of his tour, Hon. Gyapong visited the ongoing Agenda 111 Hospital Project, which is currently about 50% complete. During his visit, he met with the project manager and encouraged the team to explore innovative ways to fast-track the completion of the hospital. He emphasized the importance of the facility in enhancing healthcare delivery for the people of Kadjebi and beyond.

Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong’s familiarization tour reflects his dedication to understanding the developmental needs of the Oti Region firsthand and working towards practical solutions. His engagements in Kadjebi mark the beginning of what is expected to be a comprehensive regional tour aimed at driving progress and development across all districts.

The theme adopted globally for the sensitization is, “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles,”. This was locally adapted by the National Communication Authority (NCA) under the theme “Masts, Towers, and the Consumer: Myths, Benefits & Challenges. ” The initiative focused on dispelling misconceptions about radiation emissions from telecommunication masts, addressing consumer concerns, and reinforcing the importance of these structures in ensuring reliable connectivity.

The NCA reassured consumers that telecommunication masts and towers pose no health risks, as they comply with International safety standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Scientific research confirms that electromagnetic radiation levels emitted by these structures remain far below harmful thresholds.

The Authority emphasized that masts and towers are essential for improving network coverage and ensuring reliable communication services. It also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing strict regulations to protect public health and safety.

Earlier today, Hon Agbodza inspected the project and reiterated government’s commitment to completing strategic road projects. He further assured the contractors that their payment will be prioritized.

According to Hon. Agbodza, when completed, Nkwanta-Oti-Damanko road will facilitate economic growth through improved access to markets, reduce travel time and improve road safety as well as boost agricultural production and trade.

During an engagement in the regional capital, Dambai, key stakeholders discussed inclusive decision-making processes that shape the region’s future.

Addressing participants, the Minister acknowledged the invaluable experience of former MMDCEs, stressing that their collective knowledge could help formulate effective policies and strategies.

He emphasized that leveraging their expertise would contribute to sustainable development and improved living standards for the people of Oti.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a bottom-up development approach, urging active participation from local authorities, community members, and civil society organizations.

He called for renewed partnerships, encouraging former MMDCEs to collaborate in enhancing the region’s development.

Discussions focused on critical issues such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture. Former MMDCEs shared their experiences and lessons from their tenures, offering insights to inform current and future policies.

They also proposed strategies for maximizing local resources and fostering community engagement in development efforts.

Some MMDCEs expressed appreciation for the minister’s initiative and underscored the need for continued support from the central government to tackle challenges such as unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality healthcare.

They pledged their support to ensure effective planning and implementation of development projects.

He continued that without tolerance peace cannot reign, adding that the absence of peace stifles development hence necessary for all and sundry to abide by law to promote peace in the area.

The Regional Minister reiterated the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama to complete the ongoing construction of the agenda 111 hospital at Kpassa which started by the erstwhile government aimed at ensure quality health service delivery in the district.

He said his outfit is poised to oversee the construction of the Kpassa – Nkwanta stretch of the Eastern Corridor road within the region for easy and smooth transportation of goods and service as well as open up the area for business.

“I promised you, we are going to construct the Kpassa roads for easy movement of people, no one can do anything to divert my attention from Kpassa,” he said.

He thanked the traditional leaders, opinion leaders and electorates for believing the message of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and voting massively for the party to secure victory in the just ended general election.

Mr Gyapong, however, disclaimed audio circulating in the mainstream and social media alleging his outfit made tribal and demeaning remarks against Konkombas somewhere last year prior to election.

He said the content of the audio is fabricated and should be treated with the necessary contempt it deserve insisting that he worked with Konkombas within the party for over 32 years and could not suddenly dislike Konkombas as suggested in the purported audio.

For his part the Paramount Chief of Kpassa Traditional Area, Ubor Tassan Konja VI, urged the Minister never to forget Kpassa adding that Kpassa faces several challenges ranging from, water, rural electrification, roads network, health service delivery and security as well as youth unemployment among others.

Ubor Konja VI tasked the Minister to as a matter of urgency collaborate with other stakeholders to solve the perennial water challenge to give the people of Kpassa portable drinking water.

He expressed disapproval for lateness and laziness to work which he believe derails development, adding that his work will continue to enhance the chances of the party in the region.

My work relationship will have nothing to do with you but with the outcome or results of the work done, said the Regional Minister.

He continued that his vision is aimed at developing and changing the face of the Oti Region and reiterated his government’s commitment to bridge the Oti River to open up the region for business and fast-track the economic development.

The Minister charged the management of the Oti Region to adhere to the guidelines attached to the budget allocated to the region or face query or disciplinary sanctions from the government.

Commenting on the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), he indicated that government will make a good use of the programme hence will offer the assemblies the opportunity to open up, rehabilitate roads within their jurisdiction to ease the burden on government and also generate revenue for the region during private commandeering of the equipment.

The management meeting with the Minister also discussed several modalities including how to get investors to build factories to process raw products like cassava among others within the region.

“As a businessman, I am ready to assist the ORCC in any business proposal to the suite of investors,” he noted.

For environmental health, the ORCC staff appealed to pay a critical attention to health challenges and ensure effectiveness. The department will constitute the Oti Regional Environmental Taskforce for environmental health unit as well as reinstituting the spot fine initiative as opportunities that can help in revenue generation.

Although the management lamented of posting officers unduly for their alleged political ground, the Minister assured the staff of not repeating menace but rather focus on working to develop the region.

In his closing remarks, the Minister reiterated that his sole agenda was to make the region attractive and different from the form and shape he met the region.

He encouraged the staff to stay focused and look beyond box to leverage opportunities to help generate funds for the development of the region.

In the attendance of the meeting include; Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei OWOO, Regional Coordinating Director; Frank Abonu, Regional Agric Officer; Prince Latif Oyekumle, Assistant Director I; Madam Janet Sambo, Human Resource Manager (HRM); Cynthia Sekyere, Regional Environmental Health Officer; Amidu Mohammed, Statistics Department, Banyibor Ezekiel Yaw, Public Relations Officer, Samuel Edem Kpeli, MIS Officer as well as other heads of departments in the regional coordinating council.

The key issues raised were:

1. The negative aspect of the young girls traveling to the Gulf countries leading to deaths, deportation and evacuation.
2. The financial lost that Ghana incur during evacuations
3. The proposed solutions to the indiscriminate travels to the Gulf countries.

The Oti Regional Coordinating Director (Chief Director), Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo in his welcome address thanked the regional and national Passport Office for the initiative and urged the participants to contribute good and feasible ways of curbing this pressing challenge in Oti.

Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo in his closing remarks tasked the stakeholders to collaborate and educate the people of Oti on the dangers involve in our young girls travel to the Gulf for greener pasture.

Stakeholders present were Department of Gender, Information Services Department, Department of Social Welfare, National Commission for Civic Education, Local Council of Churches, Ghana Immigration Service, ORCC Public Relations Unit, ORCC Central Administration, Rep of Regional Chief Imam, officers from Passport Office and the Oti Regional Coordinating Director as the chairperson for the meeting.

The Oti regional Minister, honorable Daniel Machator in his speech expressed his gratitude to president Akufo-Addo for the confidence reposed in him to serve the people of Oti.

The honorable minister also extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) members, staff of ORCC and the people of Oti for the unwavering support and cooperation given him during his tenure of office

According to him, he worked to promote development in the region, focusing on education, healthcare and economic growth leading to his comittement to improving the lives of the people in the Oti Region has been evident in the various initiatives and projects accomplished.

Honorable Machator ended his speech by urging the incoming leadership to build on the foundation laid by his government and encouraged the people of Oti to continue working together and collaboratively to drive the region forward.

The Oti Regional Coordinating Director (Chief director) Reverend Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo in his address called on the RCC members to to join hands and work together to end 2024 on high note.

He also enphasised that, unity and teamwork among RCC members, stressing on collective agenda as necessary to the achievement of the council’s goals .

The chief director louded departments that submitted quarterly reports on time, adding that, the achievements were particularly notable if it aligns with the requirements outlined in the Local Government Act, 2016(ACT 936) specifically section 79.

He also said the ORCC is committed to trancparency, accountability and good governance which was driven by the timely submission of reports leading to the principle of effective public administration.

Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo ended his address by suggesting recognizing the best performing departments will motivate the rest of the departments of ORCC to strive for execelence in their reporting obligations, resulting to improved governance and development in Oti.

 The high table was made of the Oti Regional Minister hon. Daniel Machator, the Oti Regional Coordinating Director Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo.

The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machstor, speaking at the performance contract signing ceremony, described the move as foundational exercise that underscores ORCC’s commitment to excellence in local governance and service delivery.

The event, he said is guided by the mandate of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which establishes a framework for decentralized governance and the effective management of our Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs).

“The performance contracts we sign today serve as a benchmark for accountability, a tool for performance evaluation, and a road map for achieving developmental priorities,” he said.

According to him, performance contracts are not mere formalities but represent a mutual agreement between the leadership of the assemblies and the government to deliver measurable results in key areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and economic development.

“It is essential to address some pressing challenges affecting the effective execution of our mandates. Reports from previous years have revealed instances of underperformance, lack of adherence to key deliverables, and inefficiencies in some assemblies. This situation cannot and will not be allowed to continue,” he noted.

He continued that consequent to the issues of non-performance of assemblies, government has outlined measures, ranging from warnings to potential terminations aimed at fostering accountability and ensuring that all staff and management perform their duties effectively.

Mr Machator urged the Municipal and District Chief Executives and Coordinating Directors not to only go about setting targets but also about inspiring your teams to achieve them.

“ I encourage you to adopt a hands-on approach, ensuring that the priorities outlined in these contracts are effectively translated into actionable outcomes,” he stated.

This, he added the Human Resource Managers also play a pivotal role in this process by implementing robust performance management systems and cultivating a culture of continuous learning, to help address underperformance before it becomes a systemic issue.

For his part, the Chief Director of ORCC, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, recounted how the council had received a circular from the local government directing the council to supervise the signing and submission of the performance contract.

According to him, the essence of the performance contract is for service delivery hence the staff of the local government were employed to ensure efficient service delivery to the public.

Professionalism of the staff of local government,  participation of opinion leaders and other stakeholders which is key in service delivery as well as accountability to the public are the cardinal principles and standards of service delivery.

He urged transparency, efficiency,  effectiveness among staff in the use of the public resources in their line of duty.

To him, it’s not only the signing of the performance contract that is important but the implementation and there is the need for all MDAs to ensure a successful implementation of the document hence the ORCC will not hesitate to punish any MDA or staff that fails to performance in their discharge of mandate.

Rev. Owoo continued that client focus is also another standard of the Local Governance and there is the need for all the clients unit of the MDAs are effectively functional.

Financial management and reporting,  human resources management in terms of recruitment, posting among others as well as social service and local economic activities are key in the performance contract.

Rev. Owoo however charged the management of various assemblies to comply with the indicators in the performance contract and incorporate same in their performance contract document.

The directive signed and issued by the Chief Director of ORCC, Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo on behalf of the Regional Minister, said the sanctions are applicable to staff like Municipal and District Coordinating Directors, Heads of Department and Staff in the Local Government Service.

The statement opined that the move was in line with resolutions of council which stipulates that members of the Service listed in the (Section 50 of the Local Governance Act 936) ought to be given a hearing to explain the reasons for their failure in performance.

This, he said due process would be followed in meting out sanctions to officers to ensure fairness to allow members of the Service to strictly apply sanctions at all levels and to exhibit effective leadership in managing performance and notify the Head of Service

He acknowledged that the resolutions of council adopted the measures to compel management to ensure effective supervision of staff; RCC/MMDAs to be oriented on environmental cleanliness.

The statement further directs the Regional Coordinating Directors and Municipal District Coordinating Directors to strictly enforce and apply the disciplinary procedures of the Service

It went on to direct the management of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) to provide a comprehensive document of the Sanctions identified from the Retreat as part of their discussion on the performance of indicators by council.

He added that the sanctions to be meted out to non-performing staff and officers are reformative towards enhancing performance.

Municipal District Coordinating Directors are charged to report non-performing MMDCEs to their respective Regional Ministers and officers within less endowed communities require adequate support to enhance their performance as well as nonperforming Officers within well-resourced districts should be sanctioned

Rev. Owoo however entreated staff of MDAs and the Local Government Service to scale up their performance and not to fall victim to the sanctions enumerated hence all sanctions would be applied to the letter devoid of fear or favor.

A Total of 150 adolescent participants were engaged and sensitized on the effects of teenage pregnancy and child marriage, as well as the importance of embracing STEM education. Solidarity messages from queen mothers, Regional Directors and representatives from CSOs encouraged and empowered participants to stay focused and pursue careers in skill development for global competitiveness.

Resource persons and dignitaries included representatives from the Municipal Health Directorate, Department of Gender, Regional STEM Department, Ghana Standard Authority, Ghana Education Service, TVET and the Traditional Council.