Category: Events

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.

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 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.

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 30^th 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.

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.

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.

She explained that the situation was particularly prevalent in regions such as Northeast, Northern, Savannah, Upper West, Upper East and Oti Region, where factors such as adolescent pregnancy contributed significantly to the high incidence of child marriage.

Ms Newman indicated that the Nkwanta North District, 1,014 children aged 12 to 17 years had ever been in union, with 43.0 per cent being males and 57.0 per cent being females.

She said such early unions often led to poor health outcomes, increased risks of maternal and child mortality, disrupted education, further entrenching poverty and gender inequality.

Ms Newman said as part of Ghana’s pledge and commitment to eliminate child marriage, MOGCSP had developed a National Strategic Framework for ending child marriage and that was being implemented by the Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry.

She called on stakeholders to promote the prevention of early child marriages among other harmful cultural practices against women and girls in the area.

Mr Innocent Komla Agbolosu, the Oti Regional Director of Social Welfare mentioned that children must be conscious of their responsibilities which go with their rights.

He admonished the participants to ensure that other community members who were not beneficiaries of the forum be educated about children’s rights and responsibilities as discussed at the workshop.

Mr Agbolosu urged parents to provide necessities of life for their children as expected by law so that they grow and make them proud.

Resource persons were from the Department of Gender, Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Police Service (Kpassa) and Ghana Health Service (Kpassa)

#Endchildmarriage

Speaking at the launch of the club on Monday 20th May 2024 in Dambai, the Oti Regional Minister, Daniel Machator, said President Akuffo-Addo introduced Green Ghana Day initiative in 2021 and the fight against illegal mining in 2017, as part of an aggressive national afforestation and reforestation programme to restore the lost forest cover of Ghana and to contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.

The Green Climate Club, the Minister explained is not merely an initiative but a beacon of hope, a promise of renewal, and a commitment to the health of the planet.

According to him, the club represents government’s collective resolve to confront the challenges of climate change head-on, with unwavering determination and innovative spirit.

“We stand on the fertile soil of Oti Region, a land that grows every crop in Ghana, graced by nature’s bounty and the industriousness of its people. It is here, in the embrace of the Oti Region, that we pledge to nurture a legacy of sustainability, to cultivate practices that respect the delicate balance of our ecosystem, and to foster a culture of conservation that will resonate for generations,” he stressed.

Mr Machator indicated that the Green Climate Club will serve as a platform for dialogue, a hub for action, and a catalyst for transformation and foster an engagement with the global environmental trends while staying true to align local values and customs.

Similarly, the Minister charged fishermen navigating the rhythms of the rivers and lakes, to be guardians of aquatic life, ensuring the sustainability of their practices to create a balance ecosystem.

Mr Machator tasked the Forest Commission, Wild life, Police and Ghana National Fire Service to arrest and prosecute anyone caught in the act of indiscriminate bush burning leading to wild fires during the harmattan season.

To him, the youth and students are the architects of the future and their ideas, energy, and vision will shape the world of tomorrow.

He entreated the members of the club to lead with courage to question with curiosity, and to act with integrity in the climate restoration initiative of the government spearheaded by the Ghana Meteorological Agency and Green Climate Club.

“Let’s remember that the environment we save today is the legacy we leave for the children of tomorrow. So, let’s unite under the banner of the Green Climate Club, forging a path of resilience and prosperity for a better green Oti Region,” he said.

For his part, Nana Kugbeadzor-Bakateyi II, said the Green Climate Club initiative is an intervention by the Ghana Meteorological Agency to heighten weather and climate education and advocacy in the face of the changing weather dynamics of the country.

This, he said will also serve as a platform in raising environmentally conscious leaders for the future that will focus on addressing the impacts of climate change and help devise ways to mitigate it.

“A total of ten schools in the region have been selected to participate in the regional launch on the theme: “At the Frontline of Climate Action” following which the climate clubs will be established in the selected schools,” he said.

He explained further that the directorate had carried out some programmes and activities in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders and would continue to leverage the experiences gathered and level of cooperation enjoyed from earlier stakeholders.

He reiterated the commitment of the directorate to provide its best possible technical and professional support to all stakeholders as is required.

The regional director was optimistic that the Green School climate clubs in the schools will discharge their duties to positively drive achievement of desired ends for our schools.

These clubs are expected to nurture a climate smart generation that is sensitive to climate change, and whose decisions are influenced by their impact on the climate and who are empowered to act on issues related to climate change, support SDG 13 and the nation’s socioeconomic development, the stakeholders mentioned.

The purpose for the establishment the clubs in high schools, according other stakeholders is to support every Ghanian child with the knowledge and understanding on climate sustainability and environmental development.

“This is one of the strategies Ghana Metrological Agency (GMet) is employing with the goal of spreading knowledge about climate change, adaptation and mitigation to the youth in fulfilment of urgent actions to combat climate change and its impacts,” they indicated.

In his opening remarks at the training workshop, the President’s Representative, Daniel Machator, underscored the need to come together as key Regional and District stakeholders to share and deliberate on the guidelines of the handing over notes as structured by Office of the Administrator General (OAG).

The workshop, he said marks a crucial milestone in regional development journey as government seek to capture accurate data of the past four years and the strides made towards achieving the region’s social and economic objectives.

“Our Annual Progress Reports (APRs) for the past four years would serve as a vital instrument that evaluates our accomplishments and provides us with valuable information and data for the preparation of the handing over notes,” he said.

Mr Machator expressed gratitude to the Office the Administrator General (OAG) and the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) for its commitment to promoting well-structured handing over notes across the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and fostering, transparency in the governance process.

According to him, through efforts civil servants, government can reflect on the challenges and opportunities that have shaped progress during the past four years.

“As you may be aware, the handing over notes is one of the critical documents, if not the most important document in any democratic dispensation. This would serve as a navigation tool for the next government that takes over governance of the state. Their tireless efforts and commitment to implementing the handing over guidelines are the bedrock of our fledgling democracy and national development,” he noted.

He explained that the Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845) is established arrangements for the political transfer of administration from one democratically elected President to another democratically elected President to provide for the regulation of the political transfer of power and for related matters.

He continued that Section 6 (3) of the Presidential Transition Act 2012 (Act 845) states that “the handing over notes shall reflect the accurate developments which have taken place during the tenure of office and the projections of developments to take place before the full tenure”.

Mr Machator pointed out that though the journey towards sustainable development is not without its challenges, government can overcome them through well-prepared handing over notes which would serve as the medium of exchange between the old and the new.

“This workshop provides an excellent platform for us to engage in open discussions, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions that can pave the way for even greater progress in the years to come,” he stated.

He however encouraged the participants to contribute to the discussions actively, leveraging their expertise, experiences, and perspectives to enrich the deliberations.

“Let us seize this opportunity to identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement and chart a collective course that aligns with our regional development vision,” he indicated.

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.

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.

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.

Above are images of the staff durbar.

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:

1. Twety (20) sets of hand and twelve (12) foot sewing machines to Tailors and Dress Makers Association in Dambai.
2.  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.
3. Two hundred (200) bundles of fishing nets and twine (ropes) to Dambai Fishermen Association.
4. 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.   

Below are the images of programme.