Category: News

The media team proposed several areas of collaboration, including improved access to information from the Regional Coordinating Council, proactive sharing of the Minister’s itinerary to support accurate reporting, and efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation related to government work. They also called for more frequent engagement with the media to raise the profile of the region and suggested partnering with the RCC to provide training and capacity-building opportunities for journalists, especially in light of the limited presence of the Ghana Journalists Association in Oti.

Hon. Gyapong welcomed the visit and commended the Alliance for taking the initiative to reach out. He agreed that transparency and media visibility were crucial to effective governance and instructed his Public Relations Officer to begin sharing his weekly itinerary with the Alliance to enhance information flow and public accountability. However, he also raised concerns about the high cost of media coverage in the region, noting that limited budgetary allocations often made consistent engagement a challenge. He mentioned that some media personnel had previously expressed frustration over delayed allowances following RCC assignments, and he urged for more strategic media relations that balance transparency with responsible reporting.

The Minister also shared his vision for development in the region, including plans to explore mineral deposits and water bodies for potential economic use, and the establishment of a cassava processing factory as part of efforts to drive local industrialization. He emphasized that these initiatives were part of his broader commitment to supporting the national development agenda and creating sustainable jobs for the people of Oti.

In closing, Hon. Gyapong expressed his willingness to work closely with the media and encouraged the Alliance to continue playing a constructive role in regional development. He reiterated his belief that with collaboration, honesty, and mutual respect, the media can serve as a powerful ally in advancing the goals of the region.

The meeting ended on a positive note, setting the stage for stronger cooperation between the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and the media community, with a shared vision of promoting good governance, development, and accountability.

The meeting served as a platform to discuss potential areas of collaboration between GIZ and the region, particularly in climate resilience, spatial data mapping, and sustainable development planning. Both parties expressed a shared commitment to deepening their partnership for the benefit of the people of Oti.

This engagement formed part of a broader initiative, including a hands-on training session organised for selected staff of the Regional Coordinating Council(RCCs), Municipal and District Assemblies(MDAs). The training which focused on climate hazards and thematic mapping, aimed at strengthening local capacity in environmental planning and disaster preparedness.

The ORCC extends its appreciation to GIZ for their continued support and looks forward to fruitful collaborations in the months ahead.

The Honorable Minister reminded them that as chief executives, they have a critical role to play in delivering the benefits of good governance to the people. He encouraged them to be innovative, proactive, and responsive to the needs of their constituents, ensuring that the dividends of democracy are equitably distributed.

He also emphasized the importance of creating job opportunities for the youth in their respective districts. As leaders, we have a responsibility to empower the next generation, equipping them with the skills and resources needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

To achieve this, He encouraged the MDCEs to collaborate with stakeholders, including traditional leaders, opinion leaders, and the private sector, to identify and support initiatives that promote youth employment and entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong charged the MDCEs to remain committed to our party’s values of social justice, equality, and prosperity for all. Let us work together to build a better future for Ghana, a future that is bright, prosperous, and just for all citizens.

The ultimate is to RESET OTI together!

“Our conflict is not about chieftaincy disputes or land disputes; the parties would have sought redress from the legitimate authorities,” he said.

The chief explained that the development started as a result of a festival which had always been celebrated until the unscrupulous individuals decided to disagree.

He revealed how some criminal gangs are making monies from the shooting and killing and burning houses in the area and proposed a neutral body to engage both parties.

He blamed the law enforcement agencies for not providing enough security to protect lives and properties in the area.

He proposed to the minister to summon the parties involved in the matter for a roundtable discussion to allow all to bring their grievances to bring to the disturbances to a logical conclusion for peace to prevail.

The Regional Minister, Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong, lauded the chiefs for calling on him and commended them for their efforts towards peace building in the area.

He indicated that elders are not much involved in the disturbances but the youth. He observed the presence of enough security personnel would have averted the challenges.

Hon. Gyapong assured the chiefs of his commitment to taking steps to resolve the conflict in Nkwanta South Municipality to allow peace and tranquillity.

He said the recent development is a disgrace to the municipality and needed to be looked at with speed.

He recounted how investors from Netherlands had expressed interest in executing project in Nkwanta South but had to withdraw their interest due to the disturbance in the area.

He said the conflict is derailing the development of the area and called on both parties to lay down their arms and smoke the peace pipe.

He observed “if the observation of a festival would disturb the peace of the area and lead to loss of lives, then the chiefs should cease the festival celebrations. We’ll not allow festival to bring down development in Nkwanta; festivals are rather meant to bring development.  I will convene a congress for all youth in Nkwanta for the sake of peace in the area” he said.

He announced that the conflict had taken a heavy toll on the resources of the Municipal Assembly making it extremely difficult for the Assembly to honour her commitments.

Present at the engagement included the Oti Regional Coordinating Director, Rev Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Nkwanta South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Antwi, and some other staff of the Coordinating Council. The rest are, Nana Bayan Asanyo III, Bamuhene of Akyode Traditional Area; Okyeame Dare Kwaku, Okyeame Anasan Kyerewura, Nkwanta Queen mother, Nana Atabaso Obonmelesu; Abrewankor Junction Queen mother, Nana Atogesen; Nana Atabaso Anetoge and Peter Ntasah, Akyode National Youth president.

He however called on the gazetted members of the house to expedite actions in resolving the remaining chieftaincy disputes in the region.

He explained that in time past, the people of Oti region had been fighting for a region of its own but had achieved their ambition and there is the need for them to come together to build the region together for development.

Hon. Gyapong reiterated the commitment of government to complete the regional house of chief offices project across the newly calved out regions across the country.

“Chieftaincy disputes are real, we as politicians can not interfere in chieftaincy matters but to support the chiefs in peace building,” he said.

Through Big Push programme,  the Minister  mentioned that government made a budgetary allocation for the construction of bridge over Oti river in Dambai and works will soon commence to open up the region for easy access for transportation and bring development in the region.

He said the contractors are been asked to return to site for the construction of Kpassa – Nkwanta eastern corridor roads and work will soon commence.

Hon. Gyapong informed the chiefs that government is committed in establishing irrigation project in the region and works is expected to commence by May this year.

He said government will also build a water treatment plant project in Dambai to ensure portable drinking water is available for the all in the region.

For his part, the Oti Regional House of Chiefs President, Nana Soglo Alloh IV informed the minister that there are about 26 members of the Regional House of Chiefs which includes 26 traditional areas but the active members of the house are 14 with the rest facing chieftaincy litigation and yet to be gazetted.

He pleaded with minister to ensure the ORCC allocate budget for house of chiefs to run its activities adding that their office had been given two vehicles including a land cruiser and a pickup but one of vehicles had accident and need to be replaced.

The Chiefs congratulated the minister for his nomination and charged government to expedite development in peaceful areas and leave conflict prone areas.

For Kadjebi Akan, the president of the house said has about eight (8) paramount chiefs and are members of the house but five (5) chiefs are not active members because of the chieftaincy disputes.

The chiefs bemoaned the lack of consultation of traditional leaders on the appointment of government appointee assembly members in each district.

The President of the house told the Minister that paramount chiefs from traditional areas including Akpafo, Dapaa, Pampawie, Papase, Nchumuru, Asato, Kadjebi,  Buem Bowiri, Worawora and Pia-Katanga were not represented in the house following disputes in the areas.

Present at the engagement meeting includes the President of the Oti RHC Nana Soglo Alloh IV; Vice president, Nana Obonbo Sewurah Lupuwura II; Nana Mprah Besemuna III, Okoforobour Baffour Kwame Asante II, Okogyeaman Kwasi Asiedu Korum II, Dasebre Oduro-Guranim I, Nana Odam Gyamfi III, and Nana Tidibo Kowura Odamba II.

In introducing the Regional Minister, the Regional Coordinating Director (RCD), Rev Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo noted that the minister assumed office about four months ago and have been able to cover the antinary of the ORCC as part of his job schedule.

The Minister, he said is the fourth Minister in the regional and his outfit was the seventh RCD and underscored the need to cooperate with the Minister to work with him.

To RCD, the Minister is workaholic and is however determined to enhance the face of the ORCC to stem the development of the region.

In his remarks the minister indicated that his outfit was expected to meet about 75 staff but 44 staff were present hence the need to prospone the meeting until the absent staff were present.

He lamented how some heads of the department were engaged in accepting permission from subordinates without the approval of the Regional coordinating Council.

He noted that he had prior information that most of the staff of ORCC were afraid to speak adding that the institution was not properly run and lacks discipline.

The Minister directed the management of the ORCC to give a query to staff who failed to attend the staff durbar.

The Minister posed several questions to the staff such as, “What is wrong,  why are you not serious with your work and why are you not encouraged to work?”

To staff, lack of motivation, unfair treatment and witch-hunting of staff, lack of inclusiveness in the management, ineffective line of authority and chain of command, poor sanitation practice, and lack of priority of staff at office.

He encouraged the staff to speak up and shun the bureaucracy and bad practice of the leadership which he said will continue to affect the productivity of the council.

Hon. Gyapong reiterated that his outfit was not interested in intimidating political opponents but to bring them closure hence his reason of not transferring the staff from the council to the assemblies.

He said his outfit cannot afford to loose Oti region for anybody hence his forefathers will not forgive him and anybody with the attempt to joke with Oti region’s development will not have it easy.

The Minister admonished the staff to reassess themselves to resume their work properly before he begins to show colours by cracking the whips on the staff.

He assured the staff and management of the ORCC of his commitment to work and transform the region.

Hon. Gyapong charged the staff to report directly to him issues that affects productivity and their well-being to be addressed promptly.

The Minister urged parents to prioritise education over child labour, highlighting the long-term benefits of education in improving the lives of children and their families.

The Oti Region has a high incidence of child labour, particularly in fishing and cocoa communities, where children are often engaged in hazardous work that compromises their health and education.

The “My Rights, My Future” project aims to strengthen child protection committees, support teachers and schools, and engage parents and community leaders in promoting positive social norms and advocating for better laws to protect children.

Mr Gyapong has assured the “My Rights, My Future” project of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) support in combating child labour and trafficking.

In a closed engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Minister pledged to work closely with the ORCC to ensure the success of the project in the three selected Municipal and District Assemblies.

In his solidarity message, the Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong whipped the Assembly members to rally behind the nominee by giving him a unanimous endorsement.

He bemoaned how some members of the party made a press conference threatening the party hierarchy for lack of appointment in their tribe, and urged the aggrieved party supporters to exercise patience as government will soon shine on them.

He called on the leaders of Ntroubo to call the organisers of the press conference to order and failure to, will mean that his outfit have be ejected from the Ntroubo tribe of the Nkwanta south.

Mr Gyapong underscored the need for the people of the Nkwanta south municipality to embrace unity of purpose to bring peace and security in order for sustainable socio-economic growth.

The Minister encouraged the assembly members to vote massively to acclaim the president’s nominee to propel development in the area.

On his part, the Member of Parliament (MP), Hon Geoffrey Kini, thanked the president for his goodwill of nominating a candidate with the interest to articulate the mission and the vision of the government.

He indicated that the role of a leader is important and cannot be estimated hence it is eminent for the people of Nkwanta South Municipality to have a leader.

He described the nominee, Joseph Antwi, as humble, respectful, committed, and a servant leader and his experience will enable him discharge his duties diligently and called on the members to take queue from other Assemblies acclaim the nominee.

Presiding Member for Nkwanta South, Hon Edward Yilengne, urged the Assembly members to make a decision that will have a positive impact on the Nkwanta south municipality.

He indicated that the members of the municipality have an emblem of unity and are poised to make decision that reflects the interest of their various communities in the electoral areas.

Prior to the confirmation, some 13 government appointee assembly members were sworn into office to augment the elected members to facilitate the confirmation of the MCE nominee.

In his acceptance remarks, the new MCE, commended the President John Dramani Mahama for entrusting in him the confidence and promised to align with the reset agenda of government.

He pledged to uphold a zero tolerance for crime but promote peace and development to ensure sustainable growth rate in the Municipality.

Mr Antwi indicated that peace does not mean the absence of war but justice and accountability. He said the was the need for collaboration between institutions to champion sustainable agriculture and agroprocessing to create jobs.

He called for innovative solutions to inspire partnerships to bring development to the forefront of the municipality and government at large.

The new MCE served the party in various capacities such as the Nkwanta south constituency Communications officer and the director of elections for the party earning him the opportunity to be nominated into his current position.

Present at the confirmation event were the regional minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, regional and constituency executives of the party, Nkwanta South Member of Parliament, Hon. Geoffrey Kini, Chief Director of ORCC, Rev Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo and ORCC entourage, traditional leaders and the staff of the Nkwanta south Municipal Assembly as well as some party faithful’s.

He championed a peace and unity for purpose campaign arguing that the role of the MDCEs in the region is to fast track development and promote sustainable socio-economic activities in their respective localities.

The Oti Regional Minister Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong in his remarks said he has seen unity in the PM election and appealed to the members to also vote hundred percent for the MCE nominee just as Krachi East and Krachi Nchumuru respectively.

For his part, the Municipality Coordinating Director for the assembly in his speech lamented on their inability to get a presiding Member last year and urged the members to demonstrate to the Oti Region and Ghana that they are capable of addressing their own challenges by electing a PM today to aid the confirmation of the MCE nominee.

He appealed to members to approach this election and confirmation process with fairness and respect and remember that the people of Krachi West Municipal are united by their shared goals of serving the best interest of their electoral areas.

The Members of Parliament for Krachi West, Hon. Ntoso Hellen spoke to the assembly members about of the party’s vision of resetting the nation and Krachi West Municipal Assembly and thanked the stakeholders for their efforts in the 2024 general elections.

Conclusively, the members declared a popular acclamation for the MCE nominee Mr Prosper Kwaku Addo as the MCE for Krachi West Municipal Assembly.

After the acclamation, the Krachi West MCE Prosper Kwaku Addo in his acceptance remarks said he was going to be a servant to the people of Krachi West Municipality and not just an MCE and appealed to the assembly members to assist him in every aspect of the assembly business in order to deliver.

Present there were the Oti Regional Minister Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong, Oti Regional Coordinating Director Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, Krachi wura Nana Mprah Besemuna 111 of Krachi Traditional Council, NDC Regional party executives, some heads of departments from ORCC, staff of Krachi West Municipal Assembly.

At the event the confirmation of the DCE, Nkwanta North Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. John Oti Bless, urged the Assembly members to prioritize unity among themselves in order to confirm the DCE nominee unanimously to ensure progressive development and prosecution of government’s setting the country agenda in the district.

He appealed to the people of Nkwanta North District to unite and support DCE nominee Mr Kudjo Dordoe Isaiah to develop the district if confirmed.

For his part, the Oti Regional Minister Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong whipped the Assembly members to do away with all kinds sentiments and confirm the DCE nominee with hundred percent votes as Krachi East and West did, for the sake of the development of the District.

He pleaded with the chiefs and people of Nkwanta North District to support Mr Isaiah Dordoe Kudjo to develop the district.

During the confirmation, a total of 22 electorates were eligible to vote and the end of polls, DCE nominee, Isaiah Dordoe Kudjo secured a unanimous confirmation.

In his acceptance speech, the DCE thanked members for reposing confidence in him with an overwhelming victory of twenty two of twenty two votes representing hundred percent. He assured the people and major stakeholders in the District of commitment to champion sustainable socio-economic development in the district.

Present there were the Oti Regional Minister Hon John Kwadwo Gyapong, Oti Regional Coordinating Director Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, The representative of Ubor Konja Tassan VI, paramount chief of Kpassa Traditional Area, NDC’s Constituency and Regional party executives, some heads of departments from ORCC, staff of Nkwanta North District Assembly.

For his part, the Presiding Member welcomed the Assembly members and briefed the house of the constitutional requirement that warrants assembly members to confirm president MCE nominee after the Magistrate of Dambai Magistrate court, his wardship Alhassan Dramani has successfully sworn in the government appointed assembly members.

He urged the members to serve their various electoral areas diligently to ensure development and act in the best of the municipality. Appealed to his colleague members to vote massively for the MCE nominee.

The member of parliament for Krachi East Municipal Hon. Nelson Kofi Djabab in his remarks said, the article 243 of the 1992 constitution mandates to have MCE and God been good, president has nominated the party secretary who will be confirmed today.

He appealed to the Assembly members to vote hundred percent for the MCE nominee Mr Safo Nketia to help him since he will be busy at the parliament.

He ended his remarks by urging members not to break the chain of confirmation that started last week at Jasikan and Guan Districts.

After the election, Mr Safo Nketia pulled thirty (30) votes out thirty (30) representing hundred percent 100% of the total members of thirty.

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.

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.