Month: September 2024

MPCU MEETING ON THE 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

The Municipal Planning and Co-ordinating Unit under the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly organized series of Presentations and Discussions on the 12th of September, 2024 at the Municipal Assembly conference hall.
The Right to Information Officer, Richard Asante Odei sensitized the gathering on the Right to Information Act (ACT 989). His presentation was centred on the background of the Act, Legal Foundation, the importance, The Right to Information Commission, the exemptions in the Act, the offences as well as the penalties in the Act. He further explained the processes of writing applications to seek for an information per what the Act says. Several questions and suggestions were asked on the Act.
The Municipal Deputy Director, Alhassan Yahaya in his presentation highlighted on the District Assembly Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT). He stated that the DPAT is an instrument for assessing the performance of MMDAs and for determining the allocation of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and Responsiveness Factor Grant (RFG) to MMDAs. He also stated the objectives and the importance of the DPAT in order to make governance more transparent and accountable.
Another presentation and discussion were done by the Assistant District Planning Officers, Abdul-Majeed Issahaku and Duncan Esi Jesiwa Elizabeth on the indicators of the District Assembly Performance Tool (DPAT), the Revised Annual Action Plan 2024 and Annual Action Plan 2025 and also the District Development Data Platform (DDDP), where they cautioned all the departmental heads to submit their reports on time in order for them to upload it unto the Data Platform (DDDP).
The meeting saw attendance from the various heads of department in the Municipality and other Stakeholders.
BY: Abraham Tettey Wayo
MIO: Lower Manya Krobo

REASSESSMENT OF LEAP AND GHANA NATIONAL HOUSE-HOLD REGISTRY (GNHR) PROGRAM

On the 11th of September,2024 a team from Accra from the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection visited Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly to introduce a program called Ghana National House-Hold Registry (GNHR).
The Team leader gave a brief technical summary of the communities targeted for this exercise. Eleven (11) communities were shortlisted based on the Ghana Statistical Service data on the Multi-Dimensional Population Census 2021. In this census, 11 communities were said to be extremely poor.
This initiative is targeted at giving relief to the extremely poor. So scientific data collection will be used to ascertain the households affected in those 11 communities mainly in the middle belt of Lower Manya Krobo. This will also help to streamline data on LEAP beneficiaries by giving social Welfare the correct data to use.
In conclusion, all the stakeholders agreed on the way forward that there must be a community sensitization to help them embrace the Ghana National House-Hold Registry (GNHR).
For more information, we find more details on their website: www.gnhr.gov.gh

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CIVIC EDUCATION LOWER MANYA KROBO- ODUMASE HELD THE INTER PARTNER DIAQUE COMMITTEE MEETING (IPDC) HELD ON THE 29th AUGUST,2024 AT THE MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY HALL

The programme commenced at 11: 00am with an opening prayer by Rev. Samuel B. Lawerteh.
Mr. Joshua Kpordzi from NCCE leads the committee for self-introduction.
The purpose of the meeting was enlightened by the Municipal Directed Mr. David L. Ansah of
NCCE, with the theme “Together We Can Build Ghana, So Get Involved”. He spoke about how the IPDC came into being. He also touched on the duties of the IPDC and the need to have such a committee.
Mr. James Awumey the director for Commission on Human Right and Administrative Justices
(CHRAJ was the facilitator of the programme took us through some key points we need to look at in this political era. MONEY IN POLITICS, MISINFORMATION /DISINFORMATION, RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE. He tasked all stakeholders to perform their duties diligently before, during and after election 2024 and be young. He said Lower Manya Krobo has been peaceful over the years so he express confidence this year’s election will also be peaceful. He urges all the members to help the electoral commission to perform it task in order to promote peace.
Mr. Kwabene Asare, the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Police Commander lied emphases on misinformation and disinformation which has been their biggest challenge. He said they occasionally receive erroneous information, which causes fear and panic in the system and advised party leaders to be cautious. “Information is like a raw material; you must process the information you receive into intelligence before you move”. The commander emphasized that hate speech and false information are factors that contribute to violence and asked them to put their policies first rather than participating in hate speech. He warned political parties against engaging in actions that could jeopardize the nation and stability of Lower Manya Krobo.
Mrs. Ophelia Ankrah, the Eastern Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education
(NCCE), said peace is critical and that everyone should priorities peace so that the country will not be disturbed. She advised both parties to instill peace in their subordinates during and after elections. She added by saying elections are not about battling each other but about implementing policies that serve the needs of the people. She also talked about the revolution time which she witnessed. It was terrifying so we must not allow polities or election to damage the county while we continue to enjoy our peace.
Manye Horgbayo also advise the political parties to talk to their followers about peace and not to use abusive language in the upcoming election because it the potency causing disturbance in the community. She also edges the NCCE to convey their education to communities and houses, which she firmly believes will contribute to peace their preaching
Political parties, religious leaders, and other stakeholders graced the occasion.
The meeting ended with a closing praver by the Imam of Agormanya Mosque (Mr. Yunciga Issah) at 12:15 pm.

GHANA ENTERPRISES AGENCY TRAINED ARTISANS

The Ghana Enterprises Agency in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation organized a four-day training for artisans in the lower Manya Krobo Municipality from 22nd to 27th August, 2024 at the Municipal Assembly Conference Hall. The training aimed to address skills gaps, promote quality workmanship and increase employability among the skilled crafted persons and their apprentices.
The facilitator of the program, Mr Joseph Tetteh trained the artisans on the adoption of growth mindset, embracing challenges and continuous learning to foster their personal and business growth. He also touched on entrepreneurship by highlighting the traits of successful entrepreneurs, including risk-taking, resilience, innovation and also outlined the steps in turning ideas into a successful business.
He taught them customer service excellence focusing on the importance of providing outstanding customer service, which includes active listening, empathy, and leveraging feedback to build loyalty. Business management was also key aspects of managing a business, including operations, financial management, human resources and marketing, along with the tools and techniques to streamlined processes.
The training covered business setup, where he highlighted the fundamental steps of setting up a business, such as idea validation, business planning, legal setup, and marketing strategies to overcome initial challenges.
The artisan training program was a significant step toward building the capacity of the artisans. The program also met its objectives, with participants showing marked improvement in skills and knowledge. Future programs should incorporate feedback to further enhance effectiveness and impact.
BY: Abraham Tettey Wayo.
MIO: Lower Manya Krobo.

YOWE LAUNCHED ‘YOWE HIV/AIDS VOLUNTEERISM PROJECT’

Youth and Women Empowerment (YOWE), an NGO in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality on 1st August, 2024 launched the ‘YOWE HIV and AIDS Volunteerism Project’, at the Municipal Assembly Conference Hall. The program is founded by Star Ghana Foundation.
Mr. Emmanuel Nuetey Siakwa, Executive Director for YOWE in his speech stated that the HIV patients in the Lower Manya Krobo is about 35% of the total figure of HIV/AIDS patients Nationwide which is very alarming and the earlier something is done about it the better. He said this has necessitated the formation of the project with the objective to reduce the impact to at least 10% if not total eradication hence the name Reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS through Volunteerism in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality’.
Making a presentation on the issue, a representative from Atua and the St. Martins Hospital updated the gathering on the state of treatment for the HIV clients. According to the representative of Atua Government Hospital, as at June 2024, Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-Nine (1,659) people visited their facility for treatment, only Five Hundred and Forty-Two (542) comprising One Hundred and Twenty-Five (125) males and Four Hundred and Seventeen ( 417) females are on regular treatment. The representative from St. Martins Hospital also stated that Five Thousand Two Hundred and Three (5,203) clients reported for the treatment of the virus, and only Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-Seven (1,747) comprising Six Hundred and Thirty-Nine (639) males and Thousand One Hundred and Eight (1,108) females are on regular treatment. Judging from the two submissions, out of a total of Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-Two (6,862) clients, only Two Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty-Nine (2,289) are on regular treatment, whilst Four Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy-Three (4,573) have stopped visiting the facilities. Both hospitals have lost contacts with these clients due to failure to do follow-up. When personnel of the facilities investigated as to why the clients stopped visiting for treatment the following observations such as stigma and discrimination, treatment fatigue, amongst others were made. According to the health professionals, the clients who receive regular treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load (UVL) are less likely to transmit the virus to others through sexual contact.
Presenting to the gathering on the aims and objectives of the project, a representative from the YOWE stated that ‘The project seeks to equip and support community volunteers to help improve adherence and reduce ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) defaulting rate by at least 10% among persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Lower Manya Municipality’. Expected volunteers to be equipped to help undertake this project are community volunteers, community nurses, retired nurses, and queen mothers.
Rtd. Cat. Mercy Fiagbor, the Vice Chairman of YOWE, officially launched the project.
Representatives from the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly, Municipal Health Directorate, Atua Government Hospital, St. Martins Hospital, Lower Manya Queen Mothers, Rite FM, Ghana Web, and YOWE signed a stakeholders’ commitment pledge to ensure this project is successful.
By: Abraham Tettey Wayo
MIO: Lower Manya Krobo.

VICE PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTRE

The good people of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality were glad to welcome the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhadji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to the forecourt of the Assembly on 4th August 2024 to commission the Business Resource Centre situated at the premises of the Assembly.
Address the gathering, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Simon Kweku Tetteh said the Municipality had benefited with about Eighty (80) projects under the leadership of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Government. He asked the people of Lower Manya Krobo Constituency to vote for him and the presidential candidate of the NPP Dr. Bawumia to become Member of Parliament and President respectively coming December election.
The Vice President and the Presidential candidate of the NPP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia thanked the people of Lower Manya for their unwavering support and promised to live up to their expectations once they offer him the opportunity to become the next President of Ghana.
The Vice President was assisted by the Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Hon. Simon Kweku Tetteh (MCE), and other dignitaries for the commission.
By: Abraham Tettey Wayo
MIO: Lower Manya Krobo