The Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) in collaboration with the Germany Development Cooperation (GIZ) under the Participatory, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIRED) programme on Monday 21st October 2024 held a regional Consultative meeting on the review of zoning guidelines and planning standards.
During the regional consultative meeting, the Oti Regional Minister speaking through the ORCC Chief Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, described land as a valuable resource for economic development.
“It is considered a factor of production similar to labour as one of the crucial elements in creating goods and services. Land resources, specifically, are raw materials in the production process, such as trees, oil, and metals among others,” he said.
The three important planning documents under review, he said include the zoning guidelines and planning standards, the manual for the preparation of spatial planning and the new planning model to guide spatial planning practice in the country published under the Town and Country Planning Department in 2011.
These, he mentioned was guided by the town and country planning ordinance Act 1945 (CAP 84) and the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) which have been repealed following the enactment of the land used and spatial planning Act 2016 (Act 925) and Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936); hence the need to review the documents to align with the current Land Use and Spatial Planning legislation to make them more relevant.
Rev. Owoo indicated that the review of the documents will give opportunity to update the spatial planning documents with current standards and development trends by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) and other stakeholders.
The ORCC, he added is mandated to provide for sustainable development of land and human settlements through a decentralized planning system to ensure judicious use of land in order to create an enabling environment for District Assemblies to better perform the spatial planning and human settlements management functions within the Region.
This, he noted the Regional Spatial Planning Committee was inaugurated and set into motion on 20th August 2020, this was followed by the inauguration of all the District Spatial Planning Committees in October 2020.
He lamented the inability of the Regional Spatial Planning Committee to meet regularly due to financial challenges but had chocked significant successes. “These include; the preparation of a Local Plan on a 250 acres land donated by the chiefs during the inauguration of this region. Major infrastructural developments are ongoing there under guides of this plan,” he noted.
“It is also worth noting that under the direction of the Regional LUSPA, the RSPC had been able to prepare a draft Structure Plan (SP) for Jasikan, Biakoye, Krachi East, and Nkwanta South. Plans are also under way to replicate it in the remaining five Districts. A proposal has also been done to prepare the regional Spatial Development Framework (SDF) by December 2025,” he said.
For his part, GIZ technical advisor for PAIRED programme, Robert Obenyah, believes the technical workshop marks a significant step toward achieving collective goals thus, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions that will drive the refinement of our spatial planning systems.
“PAIReD cooperates with public institutions at the national level as well as 60 MMDAs across all 16 regions of Ghana to employ good governance principles that contribute to sustainable development as well as create an environment that improves the lives of Ghanaians,” he stated.
PAIReD works in five areas of intervention by improving the domestic revenue system, strengthening expenditure management according to development plans, fostering land-use planning, fighting corruption and illicit financial flows and strengthening capacities of media and civil society for accountability.
“By working together, we can address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring that our spatial planning frameworks are not only effective but also resilient and adaptable,” he said
GIZ PAIReD,he said stands firmly committed to supporting the revision process that serves the interest of the state actors represented here, who depend on these documents to provide services to the citizenry. “We believe that through open dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative effort, we can ensure that Ghana’s spatial planning framework continues to propel the nation towards a sustainable and prosperous future,” he noted.
A budget committee of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) has organised a three-day hearing of the 2024 composite budget for the Municipal and district assemblies across the region starting from October 16th to 18th 2024.
The Regional Minister addressing the committee through the Regional Coordinating Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo (Chief Director), said the move was a laid down step for preparation of the annual budget for the assemblies, regional as well as the national budget.
According to him, the preparation of the budget goes through process and in line the legal framework adding that the process is the foundation for which a budget is planned and also leads to the annual budget planning.
“Whatever we do must be in accordance with the rules and regulations, this document is prepared. Annual action plan is used by the assembly to execute their project implementation,” he said.
This, he said starts from the budget committee to FNA through to the general assembly and then to the ORCC to become a final working document for all assemblies.
As the finance minister presents the national budget, it’s also incumbent on the local assemblies to also prepare their budgets to be added to the national budget presentation, said the minister.
The Chief Director advised the management of the various assemblies to take note of the comments and recommendations made by the experts to replicate same in their narrative budget documents.
On Wednesday October 16 2024, Nkwanta North, Krachi West and Krachi Nchumuru district assemblies had their turn to present the 2024 composite budget draft to the committee respectively.
The second leg of the budget hearing comprised the Biakoye, Nkwanta South, and Kratchi East Municipal Assemblies on Thursday October 17, 2024 whilst Guan, Jasikan and Kadjebi district assemblies also presented theirs on Friday October 18, 2024.
During the composite budget hearing, the regional budget committee identified infraction and challenges and recommended for change to be made by the assemblies and the corrections must be made in the narrative budget document for submission to the ORCC by October 30th and for onwards submission to the Finance Ministry by November 8, 2024.
A rep of the Minister of Finance, Prince Amoako-Yeboah indicated that similar exercise is ongoing at various regions and metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies across the country.
This, he said forms a huge foundation for building a viable and sustainable and a prospect society.
He said the minister appreciate the efforts of the analysts and urged them to work closely and assiduously to over challenges that may arise in budget implementation.
Government through the Finance Ministry, he said was able to secure a staff level agreement with the international monetary fund through the conceited efforts of all MMDCEs to ensure they take the lead to improve the legal foundation to support IGF mobilisation.
It is imperative for every assembly to elect a Presiding Member and entreated the MDCE and regional ministers to election smooth election of the PMs.
Government, he said is commitment to aid the integration projects and follow due process in implementing the budget through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (GIFMIS).
Priorities the ongoing projects to avoid judgement debts, and enhance transparency and accountability
Commenting on the 2024 election, he underscored the need for the stakeholders to exercise their constitutional rights and with the responsibility to ensure the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere whilst delivering on their core mandates without technical challenges.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure the creations of a prosperous and viable economic development across the country.
This, according to him is instrumental in helping navigate in physical planning and management in their action plans and take initiatives to improve revenue mobilisation, take steps to pass bylaws to ensure smooth release of funds and proactive revenue generation.
He encouraged the district budget committees to follow due process to implement their approved budget, use of GIFMIS is a legal requirement and it’s incumbent on the DCEs ensure this are executed in line with the principles. The budget hearing chaired by the Regional Coordinating Director, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo (Chief Director) also had Oti regional Budget Analyst, Dr. Samuel Darah, Human Resource Officer, Miss Janet Sambo, Regional Social Welfare Officer, Innocent Agbolosu; FDU-MOF, Prince Amoako-Yeboah and …, a rep of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) Daniel Amofa.
On Thursday, 26th and Friday, 27th September 2024, the Department under the auspices of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council with funding support from UNFPA organised a 2- day Adolescent Mentorship and Empowerment Camp programme for 40 adolescent girls at Bosatsu Hotel in Dambai.
The participants were selected from 3 districts in the Oti Region, namely; Nkwanta North, Nkwanta South and Krachi East Municipal.
They were taken through topic such as;
1. ASRH and STIs
2. Gender, SGBV and Child Marriage
3. Rights and Responsibilities of Child
4. Career and Guidance
They were also linked up with female professionals as mentors and rope models from various career fields.
Yesterday 19/9/2024, The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator was privileged to serve as the Guest of Honour during the observation of the National Day of Prayer by the Ghana Armed Forces’ 7 Garrison Units at the Volta Barracks, Ho.
He encouraged all security personnel present to reflect on the significance of peace and stability to the development of our dear nation and offer prayers for its sustenance.
The Honorable Minister reminded officers and men of the security services that their duty is to ensure that all Ghanaians—regardless of political affiliation—exercise their democratic rights in an environment that is peaceful, safe, and free from intimidation.
Commanding Officer (CO), 66 Artillery Regiment (66 Arty Regt) – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jalali Din Ibrahim, mentioned that the gathering signified the Security Services’ collective commitment to ensuring peace, unity and stability in the country.
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the J A Plant Pool handed over road equipment to the various districts in Oti Region on Wednesday 28 August, 2024 at Lapaz park Dambai.
The Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator on Wednesday announced that about 270 direct jobs would be created in the region through the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), an initiative of the government through the J A Pool, a subsidiary of Jospong Group of Companies.
He made the statement when addressing the audience during the regional launch of the DRIP initiative in Dambai, the capital of the region.
“The programme is expected to create direct jobs, stimulate local economic development and reduce post-harvest losses since farmers will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to the market and improve general service delivery across the country,” he said.
Distribution
Mr Machator mentioned that under the DRIP initiative, every Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies within the region will receive equipment such as Shackman Dump truck, Backhoe, Concrete Mixer, Roller, Bulldozer and Motor Grader among others.
The equipment, he said were procured by the government in collaboration with J. A Plant Pool to improve the road network across the country.
This, he said J A Plant Pool is expected to play a key role in providing maintenance support to the Assemblies unlike other models in the past.
Accountability
“To ensure there is efficiency and value for money for the MDAs in particular and the state as a whole, every MDA is required to submit a management committee for the equipment to eliminate completely the misuse of the machines. I would like to urge all traditional leaders to take keen interest in what happens to these machines,” he stated.
Mr Machator charged the MDAs to ensure proper usage of the equipment for the intended purpose and demanded for a good maintenance culture by the managers or engineers of the machines across the region.
“Permit me to indicate that the DRIP is the President’s initiative with the aim of enhancing the country’s road network by decentralizing road infrastructure development to the MMDAs,” he said.
He cautioned MDCEs and other stakeholders against the use of the machines for their personal gains, adding that government will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with the perpetrators if caught in the act.
For his part, the Oti Regional Coordinator for J. A Pool, Abdulai Safian, said the project is expected to create over 5,000 jobs nationwide for the benefit of the citizenry.
He added that the about 32 mobile service vans have been deployed across the country to provide a 24/7 maintenance for the equipment.
According to him, as part of J. A Pool’s mandate, it seek to install tracking devices on the machines to ensure its effective usage and fuel management.
Personalities present were Oti Reginal Minister, all the nine MDCEs, Regional NPP Party Executives, the Chiefs, Regional and Municipal heads of departments.
Yesterday, 22nd August 2024, The Oti Regional Minister Hon. Daniel Machator commenced a tour that would take him through all MDAs in the Oti Region.
He visited the Guan District Assembly and the Jasikan Municipal Assembly where he met the Chiefs and staff of both Assemblies in separate Durbars. Hon. Daniel Machator in his address encouraged staff to support leadership in executing government agenda with a neutral mindset. He admonished them against lackadaisical tendencies in the performance of their duties so as to achieve all targeted goals.
He sought prayers and the support of all traditional authorities in the performance of his duties as Minister for the Oti Region and stated his tolerance for constructive criticism and their counsel.
His team visited some ongoing and completed projects in these Assemblies to inspect the progress of work. He assured them of the government’s resolve to complete and commission most of the projects by December so they could be put to use.
Accompanying him on the tour were Hon. Janet Emefa Adibo, DCE for Guan, Mrs. Elizabeth Anim Adjornor, MCE for Jasikan, Mr Evans Yaw Dapaah, Regional Chairman for the NPP, Mr. Jonathan Akpabeh, Regional Secretary, NPP among others.
National Ambulance Service today, 21st August 2024 delivered a medical emergency life-support ambulance to the Oti region to augment the fleet of ambulance for emergency health service in the region.
Receiving the Advanced Emergency Life-support ambulance, the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. Daniel Machator, expressed gratitude to the ambulance service for the kind gesture.
According to the Minister, although the referral health facilities in the region are far apart from each other, the advanced emergency life-support ambulance service will help provide medical care to the patients on or before treatment.
Hon. Machator opined that advanced life-support ambulance will be needed when the routine ambulances picked case from the hospital and the condition of the patient worsen while on transit.
To him, already there are some ambulances in the region and to receive the Advanced Life Support Ambulance will serve as a backup to the emergency service delivery.
“There are cases and the conditions of the cases are above the old ambulances. We have the kind of care that is supposed to be given to them. Those people could be transferred into this ambulance and then ferried or taking to the next health facility or wherever the person has been recommended to be taken,” he noted.
Hon. Machator reiterated the commitment of the President Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led government to continue to prioritise health and the general well-being of the citizenry.
He encouraged the personnel of the ambulance service in the region to inculcate a good maintenance culture to ensure the vehicle serves its intended purpose.
“Whenever it is due for servicing, you should ensure that is actually service and whatever help or assistance that you will require, just mention to us. If it is within our means, we will do our best to help you so that the car will be kept at 100% efficiency always so that it will help in saving lives of the people of Oti region,” he stated.
For his part, Oti Regional Administration Manager and Principal Advanced Emergency Medical Technologist, Doku Joshua Amarh, said although the old ambulances were brought in by the government introduced 2020 to take care of the people but distances are far apart and there are situations whereby it picks a case, the condition of the place case will change and they will need advanced care.
The personnel, he said will be able to initiate peripheral intravenous lines in unconscious patients; maintain peripheral intravenous lines as well as initiate saline or similar locks in unconscious patients and draw peripheral blood specimens; insert an uncuffed pharyngeal airway device in the practice of airway maintenance.
This, he said will maintain during transport any intravenous medication infusions or other procedures which were initiated in a medical facility, if clear and understandable written instructions for such maintenance have been provided by the physician at the sending medical facility;
Perform electrocardiographic rhythm interpretation of ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole; and perform cardiac defibrillation with a manual defibrillator among other functions.
On 17th August 2024, The Oti Regional Minister Hon. Daniel Machator received in his office Nana Yaa, the Oti Regional Representative on Ghana’s Most Beautiful Pageant.
Accompanied by her management team, she paid a courtesy call to the office of the minister and sought the blessings of the Regional Coordinating Council as she embarks on a journey to bring the coveted crown to our region for the first time.
Hon. Daniel Machator pledged his unflinching support to her and promised to play an active role in ensuring her success at the pageant. He encouraged her to always endeavor to showcase the beautiful culture, market the economic potential and tourist attractions of our beloved Oti Region in all her performances.
On behalf of the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. E. O. Osae, Mr. Hayford Dowuona-Hammond inaugurated the Audit Committees for the six (6) Assemblies in Oti Region on Tuesday 6TH August, 2024.
1. KRACHI EAST MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY 4. BIAKOYE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
2. NKWANTA NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY 5. KADJEBI DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
3. NKWANTA SOUTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY 6. GUAN DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
The Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Eric Yankson, on behalf of the Chief Director for the ORCC welcomed all to the inauguration and shared the purpose of the meeting.
Mr. Dowuona-Hammond in his address informed members that the committee was a statutory committee and members were nominated to support management of the various Assemblies to deliver on their mandate. He enumerated the three (3) main roles of the committee as Mandatory, Advisory and Supporting.
He noted that, the mandatory role of the committee is to pursue management’s implementation of recommendations from internal and external Audit Reports , and implement directives from Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. He advised management to fall on their committees to advise on such directives and invitations to PAC.
He informed the committees of their mandate to submit an Annual Report on its activities.
Mr. Dowuona-Hammond noted the advisory role of the committees in terms of Risk Management, Financial Controls and Internal Controls. He encouraged all the members to bring their expertise to bare on issues of good governance.
The Audit Committee chairpersons assured the representative of the Director-General, Mr. Hayford Dowuona-Hammond of their support to their respective Assemblies.
The District Chief Executive for Biakoye District Assembly, Hon. Millicent Kabuki Carboo briefed the meeting on the impact that her previous Audit Committee had made on her operations.
Yesterday, 30th July 2024, The Oti Regional Minister Hon. Daniel Machator joined officials from the Africa Exploration and Minerals Group Limited, the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, and the District Chief Executive of Kadjebi at Gyamlome to commemorate the commencement of the core drilling activities for iron ore in the area.
This marks a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to ascertain the Mineral Estimation on the Gyamlome -Wawaso Block.
It was refreshing to be taken through the exploration process on the exploration pad as His team had the opportunity to see and feel the raw ore deposits to be taken to the lab for further and necessary assessments.
The Regional Minister earlier attended a durbar of chiefs and people of Gyamlome during which He implored the exploration company to make use of the Community Liaison Committee that had been set up to promote engagement between the community, the project team, and other stakeholders.
Hon. Daniel Machator assured community members that the government would prioritize their welfare throughout the process and would only promote collaborations that would ensure the development of the community.
The wailing years of travelers on the Nkwanta-Oti-Damanko stretch of the Eastern Corridor Road would soon come to an end.
This was announced by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye during his tour of roads in the Oti Region. Hon. Asenso assured that he had commenced processes to get the contractor on site in the shortest possible time to get the project completed.
Hon. Asenso also stated that plans were underway to get contractors back to the site on the Nkwanta-Dambai and the Borae-Chinderi stretches.
He mentioned that the government of President Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Dr. Bawumia has been instrumental in advancing road construction in the Oti Region and remains fully committed to doing even more to promote the general economic well-being and development of the people. The Hon. Minister Daniel Machator appealed to Hon. Asenso to fast-track those road projects to alleviate the hardships faced by commuters, reduce travel time, and boost economic activities.
The second lady, Her Excellency Hajia Mrs. Samira Bawumia donated some medical supplies to Kwame Krom and Damanko in Oti Region.
Hajia Samira Bawumia began her regional tour at Biakoye District in Oti Region where she donated some medical supplies to Kwame Krom Health Center on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
As part of the efforts by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) to improve health outcomes and promote universal healthcare among women and children in Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia had interaction with the Zongo communities and people of Jasikan Municipal, Kadjebi District, Nkwanta South Municipal and Nkwanta North District where she also donated ten hospital beds and medical supply to the Damanko Health Center at Damanko, Wednesday July 24, 2024.
She ended her speech by appealing to the constituents of Nkwanta North to vote for His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Ben Nador coming 2024 general election to continue the good work the New Patriotic Party is doing.
The Nkwanta North District Health Director who received the donation in his remarks thanked Her Excellency Hajia Samira Bawumia for the donation and also lamented the poor condition of health service delivery in the district due to lack of medical supplies.
He ended his remarks by appealing to both international and local NGOs, individuals and government to help improve the current health service delivery in Nkwanta North District in their own way.
On Saturday 22nd June, 2024, Hon. Daniel Machator represented His Excellency the Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Maiden National Delegates Congress of the Krachi Youth Association in Krachi.
This was a gathering of Krachi young men and women around the world who sought answers to pressing questions regarding the development of their homeland under the theme “Empowering the rising generation; embracing unity for development”.
In his address, Hon. Minister encouraged the youth to always be prepared in mind and spirit to take up the leadership mantle from the older generations. This could only see the light of day if the next generation achieved high educational standards and the right certifications that would make them fit for purpose change-makers our society needs.
He enumerated a host of infrastructural projects the government had initiated and completed and others currently ongoing in the Krachi West Municipality and the Oti Region. He asked for their continued support and prayers for the government as we work tirelessly in making Oti Region the go-to destination for investors and tourists.
He presented a handsome donation from HE. Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia to the Association to support their activities.
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council ORCC in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service GSS has organized a two days Regional Stakeholder Engagement on the dissemination of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report at Nkonya, Biakoye District on Tuesday and Wednesday 11th and 12th June 2024.
The workshop was to disseminate the findings of the Ghana Statistical Service report and introduction to the GSS Stats Bank (An online platform that allows stakeholders/users to access disaggregated statistics from censuses, surveys and administrative data source) in order to enhance Local Government workers and journalists understanding and interpretation of results from Ghana’s maiden Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, which examined poverty beyond monetary deprivations.
The targeted users of the report include the Regional Planning and Coordinating Unit RPCU, Municipal Planning and Coordination Unit MPCU, Development Partners, Civil Society Organization (CSOs), the Private Sector, Research Institutions, Academia, Religious Organizations, Traditional Rulers, Media Practitioners and the general public.
Mr. Henry Loglo, Regional Director of Ghana Statistical Service in Oti, said the report provides relevant and timely data to support the implementation and monitoring of the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (MTNDPF) 2022-2025.
Speaking at the event, he said the disaggregated statistics will support monitoring of progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Loglo took the participants through provision of targeted interventions for the allocation of resources, monitoring and evaluating Local government development programs by enhancing their effectiveness, tracking of trends in multidimensional poverty over time, assessing progress across a range of interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targeted at the sub-national level in line with national development frameworks.
He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), and all Municipal and District Assemblies for their cooperation and support which contributed to the successful completion of the report.
Mr Loglo thanked expertise and resources provided by the World Bank through the Harmonizing and improving Statistics in West Africa Project (HISWAP).
Mr Prince Latif Oyekunle, Assistant Director 1, of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) in his remark said the training has been very insightful for the participants.
He again expressed satisfaction and look forward to more programs to disseminate key findings of similar report.
Deputy Superintendent of prison (DSP), Mr Daniel Machator (Rtd), the Oti Regional minister emphasized that developing an MPI report helps countries to complement monetary poverty statistics, track poverty over time and strategically develop policies to target marginalized regions, districts, groups and households.
Honorable Daniel Machator, the Oti Regional Minister, has joined hundreds of residents to plant 100,000 tree seedlings as their contribution to the Friday June 7, 2024 Green Ghana Day as per the theme for the fourth edition of the Green Ghana Day: “Growing for a Greener Ghana Tomorrow.”
The Minister underscored the importance of the exercise to the socio-economic advancement of the nation and the sustainability of human existence.
With all the development efforts the Government was putting in place, if the environment and the green cover was depleted, no meaningful progress would have been made.
He acknowledged the ravaging impacts of climate change on the earth with the environmental challenges that threatened humanity.
The Minister led a team from the Regional Coordinating Council to plant trees at Kwame-Akura Basic School, Oti Senior High Technical School, English and Arabic Basic School, Dambai Health Centre, Dambai College of Education Demonstration School, Wankayaw Basic School and Lakeside Basic School.
Mr Machator called on Ghanaians to rise to the occasion to plant more trees and nurture them to grow to support the nation’s aggressive drive for afforestation and reforestation for sustainable environment and social development.
Mr John Adu-Boffour, the Municipal Forestry Officer, reiterated the need to plant more trees to save the environment from the adverse impact of climate change.
