The Krachi East Municipal Assembly KEMA elected Presiding Member and confirmed its Municipal Chief Executive yesterday Tuesday May 7, 2024 at the oti Regional Coordinating Council conference hall.
The president representative, Mr. Daniel Machator in his remarks appealed to the assembly members to leave partisan issues and hold by the series of engagements he had with them to elect a presiding member and also confirm the Municipal Chief Executive president appointed.
He ended his remarks by urging all the stakeholders of the Krachi East Municipal to rally behind the new MCE for the sake of development if confirmed.
The Assembly members of the Krachi East Municipal Assembly (KEMA) yesterday elected the presiding member, Oklu Rockson through a conscientious vote and confirmed the nomination of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Charles Gyemfi Boateng.
After closed of polls for the confirmation, the new MCE secured about 29 votes representing 96.6 percent as compared to a single ballot against representing 3.4 percent while the total valid votes were 30 members from various electoral areas across the Municipality.
The appointment of Mr Boateng comes after the untimely demise of the former MCE, Bernard Mensah Aborkugya last month after succeeding the late Francis Okesu who also died somewhere 2023.
An official of the Electoral Commission in the Municipality first opened nomination for the election of a Presiding member of the assembly after the Assembly members failed on several occasions to meet the threshold of electing a presiding member since the local assembly election held last year.
But yesterday, the election was conducted by a secret ballot while the Nominee who went unopposed secured a two-third majority of the assembly members from various electoral areas in the Municipality.
At the end of polls, the Presiding member acquired 28 votes representing 93.3 percent as against two no votes representing 6.7 percent of the total eligible and valid votes of 30.
Immediately after the election, the new presiding member was duly sworn an oath of alligance and the oath of office to assume his new role.
The PM elected thanked the members for reposing confidence in him and charged the members to eschew partisanship and focus on the development as well as projection of the Krachi East Municipality.
In his acceptance remarks, the new MCE bemoaned the negative effects on governance and administrative activities in the Municipality following the demise of his predecessor.
Adding that such setbacks will now be a history hence the need to hasten slowly, as the assembly cannot at the same time afford to leg behind.
“It is our duty to improve the quality of life of the people in the municipality through the provision of essential services and creation of an enabling environment to ensure the total and sustainable development of Krachi East,” he said.
The address he noted was not intended to really introduce any programs that are different from his predecessors had pursued in the past, but there was need for the Assembly’s core business may be changed
He continued that his outfit is poised to bring team spirit and passion to drive the new Development agenda for the Krachi East Assembly.
Mr Boateng explained that the essence of decentralization is to make the downstream structures of local governance stronger in order to bring democracy and development closer to the people.
“We shall therefore ensure that, sub- committees, town councils and unit committees are adequately resourced to enable them discharge their functions efficiently and effectively,” he assured.
He underscored the need for a comprehensive needs assessment to be carried out to determine the specific areas the assembly members, the sub-committees, town-councils
The Krachi East Municipal Assembly led by the Regional Minister, Hon Daniel Machator presented some items to 240 beneficiaries of the Ghana productive safety Net Project start-up kits for their business on Monday May 6, 2024.
These beneficiaries of the Productive Inclusion Project, who come from the five communities of Dormabin, Tokurano, Kpelema, Katanga and Kunda would venture into piggery, soap making, groundnut processing, cassava processing, vegetable farming as well as poultry.
He encouraged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity the Government of Ghana and World Bank have presented so as to be self-sufficient all the time. He announced that, their performance in this phase would serve as a yardstick to measure their preparedness for the second tranche of support to be extended.
The Oti Regional Fire Command celebrated their Firefighters’ Day at the Oti Regional Fire Command Dambai, on Friday May 3, 2024
The President’s Representative for the Oti Region, Daniel Machator, has charged the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to be professional and discipline in the discharge of mandate as well as live beyond reproach in the region.
Speaking through the acting Oti Regional Coordinating Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo to commemorate this year’s firefighter’s day at Dambai in the Oti region, he said government is doing everything possible to ensure that fire stations at the sub-regional level are fit for purpose and well resourced.
He urged the Municipals and Districts Fire Officers to collaborate well with their various Municipal and District Assemblies in order to achieve their main goal in line with their duty.
“As Officers of the Ghana National Fire Service, you are wearing the badge of a very noble profession and for that matter your conduct at your various stations should be beyond reproach. You should live like models and mentors to bring respect to your profession,” he urged.
The firefighters, he said though continue to serve with valour but there is the need for others to carry on the legacy of those who have fallen and face the same dangers.
To Rev. Owoo, firefighting is not just a job but a calling and demands courage, selflessness, as well as an unwavering commitment to serve public interest.
Condoling with the family of the victims, Rev Owoo extended government’s sympathies to the bereaved families. “Your loss is immeasurable, and no words can truly ease the pain of your bereavement. But please know that your loved ones’ legacy will forever be etched in the heart of Dambai, Oti and the entire nation.”
He expressed over the statistics that suggest that more than 1,000 firefighters lose their lives every year nationwide in line of duty as a result of the inhalation of toxic and poisonous gases during firefighting. “We are therefore gathered here to pay tribute to the brave firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, protecting our communities and our lives in Oti,” he noted.
The Minister-designate underscored the need for all stakeholders to pledge to support firefighters in the region and the entire country at large in order to remember the sacrifices made, and to work together to ensure the safety of our community.
For his part, the Oti Regional Fire Officer, ACFOI Prince B. Anaglate, noted that Fire Service is the only agency with the expertise and technical know-how to ensure total risk management and property conservation for national development.
This, he continued that firefighter has additional responsibility to protect the public in all forms of emergency situations that involves hazardous materials.
“This is an increasing complex area of responsibility and it has been expanded even further to place firefighters on the front line of home land defence, facing whole new real and potential threats,” he said.
According to him, the role of firefighters can never be overestimated hence their responsibility as the nation’s first responders to a wider range of emergencies that extend far beyond the traditional role of firefighting.
To him, there is a possibility that terrorist could use chemicals, biological or nuclear materials as weapons to cause mayhem in the country and it is the firefighters that has the capacity and the skills to reduce the impact or avert entirely the fire.
Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan has paid a courtesy call on the Oti Regional Minister designate, DSP Daniel Machator (Rtd) at Dambai.
The purpose of the visit was to discuss the upcoming regional games in Oti region and also to create platform for young talents to showcase their skills.
Asamoah Gyan, who is known for his passion for sports development in Ghana emphasized the importance of investing in grassroots sports.
His delegation was in the region to commence preparatory works for the All Regional Games, a nationwide sports festival, scheduled to have its first trials in the Oti Region.
DSP Daniel Machator (Rtd) commended Asamoah Gyan and his team for the initiative.
He pledged the Oti Regional Council’s willingness to support the team every step of the way as sports serves as not only a tool for employment creation, but as a tool that promotes national cohesion.
He also stressed the need for more investment in sports infrastructure and programs to help unearth and nurture talents in the region. As the beginning point for the games was a unanimous one, signalling the love his team had for the region and its people.
He was positive that, though a young region, could put together a solid team, strong enough to win laurels.
The Chairman of Driver and Vehicle License Authority DVLA paid a courtesy call on the Representative of the President of Ghana for Oti Region Mr Daniel Machator to inspect and validate the piece of land handed over to them for the construction of the Oti Regional DVLA office yesterday Tuesday April 23, 2024 at the Oti Reginal Coordinating Council ORCC.
The president representative, Mr Daniel Machator in his opening remarks welcomed the DVLA entourage and expressed his hope in the presence of DVLA in Oti to solve the challenge of vehicle smuggling in and out of Oti Region.
Mr Daniel Machator also expressed his happiness towards the establishing of DVLA regional office in Oti which will ease the automobile and motor bikes registration that has been a challenge to the people of Oti.
Mr Daniel Machator ended his remarks by urging the DVLA to speed up the construction of the office to end the stress the people of Oti go through during automobile and motor bike registration at Ho.
The DVLA board chairperson Mr Frank Davis Esq in his remarks lamented that, Oti Regional DVLA office would have been completed in 2023 but the conflict of siting at ORCC hindered it.
The DVLA board chairperson also requested for the president representative Mr. Daniel Machator to get him a satellite office for his officers to begin with operations.
He ended his remarks by assuring the people of Oti that, DVLA was going to put up a state of art of which construction will start by July 2024 and completed before December 2024.
The Oti Regional Coordination Council (ORCC) in collaboration with the Oti Regional Agriculture Department organized a day stakeholder engagement on Planting for Food and Jobs phase two (PFJ2.0) and also created awareness on the ongoing Farmer Registration exercise in Oti and Ghana at large on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at the ORCC conference hall.
Mr Sylvester Ayitei the director of administration at ORCC who represented the Oti Regional Coordinating Director in his speech recounted that, PFJ1 was his baby when he was a coordinating director at Ho West District Assembly and wished Ghana prioritize agriculture like Israel to ensure food security.
He added that, PFJ is one of the best policies of the government but the problem of funds has hindered its progress to the fullest.
Mr Sylvester Ayitei also mentioned agriculture directors at the Metropolitan, Municipals and District Assemblies MMDAs as a hindrance to the success of PFJ1. The reason been that, the agriculture directors does not usually channel PFJ funds into farming.
He again lamented that, there was so much potentials in Oti such as water bodies and lands but the youth does not use it judiciously. He therefore tasked the participants and youth to take the PFJ phase two serious for Oti to take care of food security of Ghana.
Mr sylvester Ayitei ended his speech by urging the participants and agriculture directors not to politicize the PFJ phase two to ensure a complete success.
The Oti Regional Agriculture Director, Mr Obrien Nyarko in his speech said, the aim of PFJ2.0 was to move from input subsidy to input credit system and also promote import substitution in Ghana.
He ended his speech by clarifying that, PFJ2.0 is to ensure Ghana’s ability to export and also create jobs for the actors in the value chain.
After receiving a notification letter from the Krachi East Municipal Assembly regarding the death of their MCE, the Oti Regional Coordinating Council wish to announce to the general public about the demise of the Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive honorable Bennard Aborkugya Mensah Who collapsed right after his address in an occasion at Dambai College of Education DACE on Friday April 5, 2024.
He was rushed to Worawora Government Hospital and upon arriving at the hospital, he was pronounced dead.
The cause of his death is undisclosed and according to the family, his one week observation is scheduled to come off Wednesday April 17, 2024 at his family house.
In conclusion, the burial date will be communicated after the one week observation.
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council organized its first staff durbar for 2024 to welcome a new regional coordinating director and also introduce the staff to the new coordinating director at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council conference hall on Friday March 22, 2024.
The new Acting Regional Coordinating Director, Reverend Harry Nii Owoo in his remarks took the staff through the vision and mission of the ORCC, oriented the staff on working systems and took the staff through his vision for Oti Region.
Firstly, the Acting Regional Coordinating Director Reverend Harry Nii Owoo explained the Vision of ORCC to be “Seeking to be the most peaceful region and a one-stop investment destination in Ghana” and Mission to be “Existing to provide good governance that ensures sustainable development and equitable distribution of resources to meet the aspiration of the people”.
Secondly, he took the staff through the Twelve (12) Core Values of ORCC as follows 1. Accountability 2. Clients Orientation (Service to the people) 3. Creativity 4. Diligent 5. Discipline 6. Equity 7. Integrity 8. Innovative 9. Royalty 10. Impartiality 11. Transparency 12. Timeliness.
Thirdly, the new acting RCD oriented the staff on the recommended work cultural values that makes a working environment favorable for every officer to be 1. Mutual understanding 2. Love 3. Unity 4. Care 5. Empathy and the working principles that every government worker must execute to be 1. Punctuality 2. Productivity 3. Performance 4. Professionalism 5. Purpose.
In his fourth submission, his vision for Oti Region was to Formulate Development Strategic plans, Support Regional Planning Coordination Unit (RPCU) in developing ORCC Objectives, Promote Public and Private Sector Institutional Collaboration, Gazette and supervise the enforcement of the MDAs by-laws, Coordinate, Monitor and Evaluate Policies and Projects of MDAs.
The Acting Regional Coordinating Director Reverend Harry Nii Owoo ended his speech with an appeal to implement “The God Factor” proposal. This means Acknowledging and seeking the support of God through Morning Devotion on every Wednesday of every week from 7:00 am-8:00am at the ORCC conference hall for God to help achieve the Vision and Mission of ORCC.
Conclusively, the meeting ended with an open forum where Mr. Jehu Appiah asked of the status of the ORCC Welfare and the committee answered with copies of a drafted constitution which was submitted to some HODs editing and adoption.
On Wednesday 20th March, 2024, Hon. Daniel Machator paid a courtesy call on the Atonkor Prisons Cadet Corps in the Jasikan District of our beloved Oti Region.
After inspecting a Guard of Honour mounted by the cadet corps, the Hon. Minister took the opportunity to advise the young para-military drill enthusiasts on the need to take their training regime seriously as such training builds trainees into strong-willed individuals who grow into change-makers.
Among important lessons, He told them the training would equip them with included humility, time management and performance under pressure, fighting fatigue and stress, building confidence in oneself and supporting colleagues as they charge together towards the end goal.
The Oti Regional Minister commended Mr. Leopold K.A. Ansah, a retired Director of Prisons, for devoting his time to building a battalion of regimented youth who have the tendency of affecting society positively.
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council organized its 67th Independence Day celebration on Wednesday March 6, 2024 at the Dambai M.A primary school.
The match pass started at 7:40am with six (6) primary schools, five (5) junior high schools, three (3) senor high schools, two cadet corps and three (3) security contingents comprising Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana National Fire Service.
The Municipal Education Director Miss Georgina Mensah in her welcome address acknowledged and commended the efforts of every Ghanaian dead and alive in the promotion and consolidation of Ghana’s democracy.
She added that, Ghana’s democracy can only flourish when the people of Krachi East Municipal and Ghana at large unites and pool resources together as one people through collaborations, cooperation and dialogues to transform the municipal into a model community.
She ended her welcome address by commending and expressing her gratitude to all the organizations, institutions and individuals who have contributed to the development of the Krachi East Municipality.
The Regional Education Director Nana Kugbeadzor Bakateyi II who read the president’s speech said, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo was committed to transparency, accountability and the consolidation of Ghana’s democracy in his governance in order to put Ghana at a high level among other democratic nations.
She again highlighted on oneof the hallmark achievements Nana Akufo Addo’s government to be the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy which has given opportunity to thousands of poor Ghanaians to also access quality education with the rich, thereby reducing the financial burden of the poor and equal access to education in Ghana.
In addition, president was committed to closing the gap of gender disparity and by so doing, his administration introduced the National Gender Policy and Affirmative Action Bill to address the gender inequality issues to ensure an inclusive governance in Ghana.
In her address read on behalf of the president, leaders and citizens were tasked to safeguard, nurture democratic ideals and uphold the values of respect, tolerance and unity that defines Ghana’s democracy.
The Oti Regional Education Director Nana Kugbeadzor Bakateyi II ended her address read on behalf of the president by urging the people of Oti to reaffirm their commitment to democracy, justice, liberty and work together to build a brighter Oti for the younger generation of Oti Region and Ghana at large.
With the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion SOCO, the Municipal Chief Executive MCE for Krachi East Municipal honorable Bernard Mensah Aboakugyah in his remarks task the SOCO focal persons, chiefs, assembly members unit committee members and citizens of Krachi Esat to monitor and report to assembly on the status of developmental projects of SOCO that are currently ongoing across the municipality for transparency and accountability.
He ended his remarks by handing some working and startup tools procured by the Municipal Assembly with SOCO fund. Below is the breakdown:
Twety (20) sets of hand and twelve (12) foot sewing machines to Tailors and Dress Makers Association in Dambai.
Twenty-three (23) set of barbering machines, twenty-three (23) sets of sterilizers, twenty-three (23) sets of combs and four sinks to Dambai Babers Association.
Two hundred (200) bundles of fishing nets and twine (ropes) to Dambai Fishermen Association.
Two graters and two pressers to the Dambai Cassava Processers Association.
According to him, this initiative was to promote Technical and Vocational training in the municipal to reduce immoral activities among the youth.
The high table consisted of the Regional Director of Education Nana Kubeadzor Bakateyi II, Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive honorable Bernard Mensah Aboakugyah and the Regional Decentralized Heads of Departments.
Conclusively, the Oti Regional Independence Day Anniversary Celebration at Dambai ended successfully at 10:40am.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa who also double as the Oti Regional caretaker minister visited Dambai to swear in the two newly confirmed Municipal Chief Executives MCEs for Krachi West and Nkwanta South Municipals at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council conference hall on Friday March 1, 2024.
The Oti Regional caretaker minister Honorable Dr Archibald Yao Letsa in his address said president Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo requires competent and proactive persons to take charge of the various Assemblies to execute his national developmental and transformation agenda. Hence, the appointment of Bulator Kwaku Patrick for Krachi West and Felix Owusu Gyimah for Nkwanta South to unite the people behind the government developmental agenda.
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa also advised the two new MCEs to be in haste in transforming the living conditions of people in their Municipals because there were a significant number of interested persons in their Municipals ready to over their positions if they fail to work up to the president’s expectations.
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa again reminded all the MDCEs present that, the sustainable development of Oti Region was a collective responsibility of Assembly Members, women, youth, Non-governmental organisations NGOs, civil society organisations, religious organisations, associations and appealed to them to be humble, transparent and accountable in the execution of their duties as MDCEs.
In addition, he advised MDCEs to use innovative ways to improve upon the performance of their revenue mobilisation to implement more developmental and social programmes and projects in their various Assemblies.
On Peace and Stability, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa appealed to the chiefs and people of Oti, especially Nkwanta South to give peace a chance to prevail in order to pave way for development because peace was the hallmark of development in every community.
On the physical projects, he told the public that, his government was committed to working and completion of the Nkwanta – Dambai Road, Kpassa – Nkwanta Road, Oti Regional Coordinating Council and Kpassa District Assembly Office Complex.
Dr Archibald Yao Letsa ended his address by assuring the people Oti that Volta Region was going to collaborate with Oti as her younger sister Region regarding development. For the forgoing he appealed to collaboratively institute Oti Trade Fair as they have Volta Trade Fair to showcase Oti as the food basket of Ghana and promised to support the Oti Regional Minister nominee, Honorable Daniel Machator in all aspects of administration as his son.
The Oti Regional Minister nominee, Honorable Daniel Machator in his remarks thanked the president for nominating him as Oti Regional Minister and congratulated the two new MCEs.
Honorable Daniel Machator appealed to the people of Oti, Chiefs and Technocrats in the region to support him as a son and brother to administor Oti well after his vetting.
He ended his remarks by assuring the president and the people of Oti transparency, accountability, inclusive governance, informed decision making and hard work towards “breaking the eight “.
The newly sworn in MCE for Krachi West Municipal Honorable Patrick Kwaku Bulator in his remarks on behalf of his colleague Honorable Felix Owusu Gyimah thanked the president for the confidence reposed in them and assured him of hardwork towards “breaking the eight”.
He ended his remarks by expressing their heartfelt appreciation to their respective Assembly Members, chiefs stakeholders and people for their confirmation and pledge to working with them towards accelerated development in their various Municipals and Oti at large.
Conclusively the swearing in of the two MCEs and formal introduction of the Oti Regional Minister nominee to the public ended successful.
The Budget Unit of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council held its First Quarter Budget Officers Meeting on Wednesday February 28, 2024 at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council conference hall to educate Budget officers on the Budget Performance Reporting Template.
The Oti Regional Budget Analyst Mr Seth Kpodji in his presentation took the Budget officers comprising all the Budget and assistant Budget officers from the nine Municipal and District assemblies of Oti Region through the usage of the new Budget Performance Reporting Template of Ministry of Finance.
With regards to welfare, the Budget officers elected the executives of the Budget Analyst Association after the presentation, to manage the association’s welfare issues.
Conclusively, the meeting was successful with an attendance of the Oti Regional Coordinating Director Mr Issaka Braimah Basintale, Oti Regional Budget Analyst Mr. Seth Kpodji, Oti Regional Economic Planning Officer Rev. Isaac Asante Wiafe, representative from Oti Regional International Audit Unit and all Budget Analysts from the nine Municipal and District Assemblies.
As part of efforts made by the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority acting on behalf of the Ministry of Transport Ghana to develop the ports of Keta in the Volta Region on the Eastern part of the Ghanaian coastline, a stakeholder meeting was held on Tuesday the 20th of February 2024 on the environmental and social impact assessment for the proposed project at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, Dambai at exactly 2:00 pm. Participants of the meeting include the Chief Director Issaka Braimah Basintalele, some Heads of Departments of the Regional Coordinating Council and officials of the Coastline and Reclamation Engineering Service Ghana Limited which is a consulting agency for the environmental and social impact assessment for the project.
On Tuesday the 8th of February 2024, a meeting was convened at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council chaired by the Regional Minister, Hon. Joshua Makubu and attended by the Chief Director, Issaka Braimah Basintalele, Municipal/District Chief Executives and Heads of Departments and Units of the Oti Regional Co-ordinating Council (ORCC) to witness the signing of the Performance Contract by the MDCEs and MDCDs.
This performance contract is a contractual agreement that binds all staff of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies particularly the Political Heads, that is the Municipal and District Chief Executives and the Administrative Heads, Municipal or District Co-ordinating Directors to effectively carry out their mandates in accordance with the Service Delivery Standards of the Local Government Service.
This forms the framework for Transparency, Accountability and Professionalism to the people they serve.
An incredible day unfolded at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council as the form one students from Oti Senior High Technical School embarked on an educational tour as part of their orientation program. The students were warmly received by the esteemed Chief Director. Issaka Braimah Basintale and some Heads of Departments, who graciously imparted their knowledge and experience. He emphasized the transformative power of education and the critical role of discipline in achieving success. The students were captivated by his inspiring words, which would serve as a guiding light for their academic journey.
The Chief Director further extended an open invitation, assuring the students that the doors of the council are always wide open for them to explore the inner workings and activities of the council whenever they wish.
These pictures capture the essence of this remarkable visit, showcasing the students’ enthusiasm and the invaluable knowledge they gained. Join us in celebrating this memorable occasion as we empower and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
