SESSIONAL ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE HON. BISMARK BAISIE NKUM, THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE (DCE) FOR GOMOA WEST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AT THE 2ND ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER 2023 AT THE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY HALL.

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Hon. Presiding Member

Hon. Member of Parliament

Hon. Assembly Members

District Co-ordinating Director

Nananom Present

Heads of Department and Unit Heads

The Press

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Today marks the last meeting of the 8th Assembly and I address this august house with mixed feelings. While I share in the joy of having achieved a lot together with you, I also know for sure, that for some of you, today will be the last meeting of the General Assembly in this hall with you. I am saddened by the reality of not getting to engage you in further debate and express our impression on a subject with our usual mantra- yea, yea!  a jubilant expression/response to the Presiding Member’s monopoly and interesting question- “What is the impression of the house?”

 

I must admit that a good number of you have expressed the desire to contest again in the upcoming District Assembly elections. To you, I wish you good luck and pray for your safe return to the General Assembly. I do know that some of you have decided not to contest the upcoming elections and allow for fresh individuals to take your place, I want to congratulate you for your dedicated and selfless service to Gomoa West, especially the people of your respective electoral areas over the course of time. It is our prayer that you will keep the fire blazing wherever you find yourself. Note that the Assembly will continue to count on your enormous experience and will not hesitate to consult you on issues of interest to the Gomoa West District Assembly. I say Ayekoo to all of you.

 

 

Today’s address covers the district’s modest achievement in the last five months, challenges and the way forward.

  1. AGRICULTURE

Hon. Presiding Member, agriculture (farming and fishing) is the mainstay of the district. It continues to be the major driver for improving household incomes and rural development for our people.

Our objectives still remain:

  1. Improve production efficiency and yield.
  2. Improve post-harvest management and
  3. Promote livestock and poultry development for food security and income.

PFJ & PERD

The Department of Agriculture is continuing the implementation of Planting for Food & Jobs (PFJ) and Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) Programs. Under these programs, the Department continued sensitization on the PFJ inputs using the community information systems and during farmer fora. The Department has assisted farmers who were in need of maize and vegetable seeds during this period by linking them to certified Agro-input dealers.

Furthermore, the Department undertook monitoring of beneficiary fields comprising of mango and coconut. Forty-four (44) farmers comprising 28 males and 16 females were visited. All the fields visited were well established and doing well except a few farmers who complained of Rhinoceros beetle presence on some coconut fields.

In relation to farm and home visits, Eight Hundred and Thirty-four (834) farm and home visits were undertaken by 8 Agric extension agents (AEAs) compared to 942 farm and home visits by 11 AEAs during the same period in 2022. The purpose of their visitation was to disseminate agricultural technologies through, the use of community information systems to educate farmers on good agricultural practices. A total of 9,206 farmers (3,531male and 5,755females) were reached in 2023 as against 12,200 farmers (5080males and 6,950females) in 2022. The reduction in target reached is associated with a reduced staff size.

To enhance farmers’ access to Improved livestock production Technology, fifteen (15) improved livestock technologies have been demonstrated to Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety – Eight (3,298) farmers across the 11 operational zones within the district, of which (1608) were males and (1,690) resulting in 51% female participation. The technological impact could go a long way to reduce mortality and increase growth in income, thereby reducing poverty among the livestock farmers within the district.

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The major domestic livestock produced within the districts was estimated to be (20,888); made of Cattle, Goat, Pig, sheep and poultry.

Farmers Day Celebration

This year’s Farmers Day celebration will take place at Mumford on December 1, 2023. It has been suggested that the Agric department should recognize the efforts of the best Assembly Member farmer for an award. It is a new category we have recommended from the Executive Committee.

 

BUSINESS ADVISORY CENTER (BAC)

Hon. Presiding Member, BAC continues to lead the district in skill training of our youth. One such program is Ghana Jobs and Skills Project which is under the Youstart flagship program of the Government of Ghana.

The project is considered one of the main forms of support for the government’s top priority agenda of upgrading skills among the country’s population, creating more and better-quality jobs, and improving job outcomes for the youth.

The selected beneficiaries were taken through 5 days intensive training workshop in Entrepreneurship, financial management and kaizen at the basic level, Ten (10) days at the Intermediate level and 15 days at the Advanced level.

A total of 97 beneficiaries were trained at the basic level, 32 beneficiaries at the intermediate level and 18 beneficiaries at the advanced level.

All 18 beneficiaries from the advanced level together with 10 selected beneficiaries from the intermediate level had the opportunity to apply for the grant and are waiting for disbursement.

Grants

Hon. Presiding Member, the Gomoa West Business Advisory Centre has facilitated the application of a number of MSMEs for different grant schemes. These grant schemes include:

  1. Youth in the MSME Grant program
  2. Women in MSME Grant program
  3. Persons With Disability in the MSME Grant program
  4. MSME High growth program

Covid-19 Response Grant II Beneficiaries monitoring

A monitoring exercise for MSMEs who benefited from COVID-19 Response Grant II was also conducted in the period under review.

EDUCATION

Hon. Presiding Member, the Education sector has seen a lot of investment from the Assembly. This particular attention to the sector is aimed at improving academic and performance standards across schools in the district. In spite of enormous infrastructure development, high teacher attrition continues to be the major challenge in the district. However, with the efforts from the stakeholders especially the education directorate, 130 new teachers have been posted to the district to augment the staff. A lot more efforts are being made to get some of the National Service Personnel to help with the situation.

Hon. Presiding Member, exactly a year ago, I made a solemn promise to the August house to ensure that, all communities in the district have at least one classroom block. That promise is being fulfilled as we speak. The District Assembly has taken over the uncompleted 3-unit classroom block which was started by the immediate past member of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Abban at Olefreku, and hopes to complete it by the first quarter of 2024. The Assembly has also budgeted for 1. No 3-unit classroom block as phase 1 of the expected 6-unit classroom block to give Olefreku a complete block for primary 1-6. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of Q4 2024

Hon. Presiding Member, the 2022 BECE results showed an appreciable improvement over the previous year’s result. The district recorded a 64.5% pass rate for the 2022 as against 61.5% in the 2021.

According to the research department of the education directorate, the following were the causes of the poor BECE results:

  1. Final-year students abandoning class after registration.
  2. Truancy.
  3. Parental neglect among others.

In order to prepare the JHS 3 pupils for the 2023 BECE, the District Assembly organized one mock exam for both public and private schools in the district. Additionally, the education directorate and the Parents Association organized 3 more mock examinations. It is the hope of the Assembly that, the 2023 BECE will turn out to be the best one.

We have been told that the initiative by the Assembly to allow schools to organize extra classes is yielding results. Teachers are now willing to stay in the district.

 

Hon. PM, we approved of best teacher award scheme to be celebrated in the 3rd quarter of 2023. We have missed the time but certainly not the event. We are committed to this, and we hope to have it done before the end of the year. Executive Committee has approved a suggestion by the education sub-committee that all current Assembly Members should be invited to grace the occasion.

 

SOCIAL WELFARE

The Department collaborated with key stakeholders in communities across the district to improve upon social well-being, through Development with equity for the Disadvantaged, the vulnerable and the excluded in society.

In line with the above objectives, the department undertook the following activities:

  1. 35 cases were registered under child protection. 28 of them were successfully managed, 5 were referred to the court and 2 are pending.
  2. 22 community sensitization campaigns were organized for 18 communities in the district. The Sensitization centred on issues such as teenage pregnancy/Adolescent health, child trafficking, child labour, child abuse, and family welfare.
  3. GHC 39,200.00 of The Disability Fund was disbursed to 45 persons with Disability by the Fund Management after vetting the various applications. This number is made up of 17 males and 28 females.
  4. On the LEAP program, payments in respect of 83rd & 84th cycle, 85th & 86th cycles were made to 1,133 beneficiary households in 62 communities. The Department still continues to sensitize LEAP beneficiaries to register and renew NHIS cards.
  5. The District Assembly also distributed 20 wheelchairs to our PWDs in need. It is suggested that subsequent procurement should target motorised wheelchairs to make it easier for the aged to use.

WORKS

 The Department is supervising the ongoing projects at Mankoadze which is at the roofing level and Appiakrom Debiso has been roofed.

The Assembly in collaboration with feeder roads has reshaped Kyiren-Mando and Asempayin-Asaakyer. A reshaping contract has been awarded by the Highways Authority for Ankamu-Denkyira road. Work is expected to start after the rains.

Getfund Project

The District Assembly took stock of all uncompleted Common Fund projects and reported on the same to Getfund. I wish to announce to the house that the contractor for Odina’s 6-unit classroom block has resumed work after his previous certificates were duly paid. Roofing has now been completed and other works are ongoing.

 

Mumford Landing beach

Hon. PM, the project has encountered some challenges that have resulted in accidents leading to the loss of 2 lives as well as damage to some properties. Though fishing activities at Mumford have more than tripled since the construction of the project, the defects require urgent attention. The Ministry of Transport has been informed, prompting a visit to the site by two deputy ministers. The assurance is that a new engineer has been tasked to submit corrective designs to bring the project to the expected level. The Executive Committee has charged the Coordinating Director and Revenue Department to realize revenue from our two biggest landing beaches; Mumford and Apam with non-Gomoa citizens as targets especially those from outside Gomoa West who come with vehicles to trade in our landing beaches.

HEALTH

The health directorate undertook the following activities during the period under review:

  1. Continuous Distribution of Long-Lasting Treated Insecticide Net, for children aged 18-59 months and pregnant women who visited antenatal for the first time.

 

 

  1. Covid-19 Vaccination

The district has a total eligible population of 76,695 (58%) including children 15-17 years and pregnant women to be vaccinated.

The district took part in the National Round 7 COVID-19 Vaccination campaign undertaken in the 2nd quarter. The district vaccinated 4786 (97.1%) persons out of a target of 4931. Also, round 8 of the National COVID-19 Vaccination exercise was held from 20th to 24th September 2023 with the district vaccinating 3793 (76.9%) persons out of a target of 4931.

  1. Commissioning of CHPS compound at Antseadze
  2. Conducted health education programs (diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer…) on clinic days.
  3. Conducted Mass Education on Family planning on the world contraceptive day.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SANITATION

Hon. Presiding Member, major activities carried out by the environmental unit include.

  1. Clearing of weeds and evacuation of refuse at Kyiren-Nkwanta market.
  2. Six (6) clean-up exercises at Ankamu, Kyiren-Nkwanta, Apam and Mumford.
  3. Four (4) radio sensitization programs on environmental-related issues were also carried out.

 

REVENUE

IGF PERFORMANCE AS OF SEPT. 2022 AGAINST SEPT. 2023

     

NAME

 2022 ANNUAL 2022 ACTUAL AS AT SEPTEMBER 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET 2023 ACTUAL AS AT SEPT.
     

REVENUE

 850,000.00 535,429.81    

62.99%

 771,550.00 613,566.37    

79.52%

 

 

 

IGF REVENUE PERFORMANCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 2022 AND 2023

Hon Presiding Member, as of September last year 2022, the Assembly was able to collect an amount of Five Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-Nine Ghana Cedis Eighty-One Pesewas (GHC 535,429.81) constituting 62.99% as against an amount of Six Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, five hundred and Sixty-six Ghana Cedis, thirty-seven pesewas (GHC 613,566.37), resulting in 79.52% for September 2023. The data above shows clearly that, the revenue mobilization drive as of September 2023 was better than the same period 2022.

CHALLENGES IN REVENUE MOBILIZATION

  1. Non-collection of property rate
  2. The collapse of some businesses especially quarry sites, hotels, and some filling stations in Gomoa West have also reduced revenue.

SECURITY

Hon. Presiding Member, the security situation in the district is generally calm. However, a few chieftaincy issues have reared their ugly heads in some communities in the district. The District Security Council (DISEC) is keeping a close eye on development in these communities.  There are some other issues worth noting; it has come to the attention of the District Security Apparatus that, there is an ongoing sale of fuel in gallons within some communities in the district. Consequent to this, a task force has been set up to inspect, educate and clamp down on such activities to safeguard the safety of community members.

Hon. PM, I would like to use this opportunity to inform the house that, processes are underway to extract and replace the District Police Commander from the District. His conduct and dealings are at variance with the district’s mandate for the maintenance of security and public safety as anticipated by the Local Governance Act, 2016, (Act 936). The executive committee at its meeting of October 2, 2023, arrived at a decision to ask for extraction and replacement of Chief Superintendent Samuel Odame in the Apam District Police. Section 21 (2) e of Act 936 states that, the Executive Committee shall “make recommendations on stated grounds to the appropriate Ministry, Department or Agency, for the appointment and replacement of officers for Departments outside the control of the District Assembly where it is considered expedient to do so. We have done this to uphold the function of the District Assembly under section 12 (3) g of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).

Hon. PM, still under security, the District Assembly received 300 street bulbs last year to be fixed within our communities. It was hoped the contractor would be in to fix them as anticipated. The delay, however, resulted in the distribution of the bulbs across our communities. Because of the limited nature, some of our communities did not benefit. It is hoped that the next procurement will focus on those communities. It is important to note that, the distribution was done through our chiefs, Assembly Members and institutions who are all stakeholders. Among the beneficiary communities include Apam, Mumford, Dago, Whida, Obiri, Odumase, Gomoa maim, Ngyiresi, Gomoa Adaa, Manso, Dawurampong, Osedze, Debiso, Okwawu, Fomena, Eshiem, Mozano, Anyanful, Appiakrom Debiso, Darmang, Abonko, Denkyira, Bewadze, Onyaadze, Amenfi, Mprumem, Ankamu-Apam(fixed by Assembly), Apam SHS, Adaa Technical Institute, Mozano SHS, Dawurampong SHS, Brofo, Adam, Ohua, Odina, Tarkwa, Oguan, Antseadze, Kumasi and Assin, wassa, etc.

CHALLENGES

Hon. Presiding Member, some of the challenges encountered during the period under review were:

  1. Delay in Common Fund for releases and low levels
  2. Low revenue from internally generated funds.
  3. Logistical challenge (office equipment, vehicles, etc….)
  4. Delays in collection of property rate

WAY FORWARD

Hon. Presiding Member, the DCE constantly engages the office of the Common Fund Administrator for timely releases.

The Assembly has also come up with new initiatives to charge conveyance from non-Gomoa citizens who buy fish in large quantities from Mumford and Apam Landing beaches and to collect tolls from vendors who operate within the beaches.

We also encourage Hon. Assembly members to assist the Assembly in the collection of burial permits.

On this note I thank you for your audience!

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