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Engaging Communities for Progress: LaDMA Municipal Chief Executive Addresses Concerns of La Burma Valley Residents

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In a continuation of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly’s commitment to participatory governance, the Honorable Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) recently engaged with members of the La Burma Valley Residents Association. This routine interaction aimed to discuss various issues affecting the residents and to provide insights into the Assembly’s policies, programs, and activities.

The meeting, marked by open dialogue, covered a range of concerns brought forth by the community members. Among the key topics were the misuse of space near the La Cemetery as a dumping site, the proliferation of churches and places of worship in East La Burma Valley and Tse-Addo, noise pollution, unauthorized car parking, unauthorized structures, and squatters in the East La Burma Valley area, the spread of telecom masts, malfunctioning street lights in Tse-Addo, security concerns, demolition, and prosecution of landlords without building permits, and the burning of refuse in the Municipality.

The Municipal Chief Executive, along with relevant technocrats, addressed each issue within their area of responsibility. Following deliberations, it was agreed to conduct a field trip to the dumping sites and affected areas to gain firsthand insights.

Additionally, the meeting recommended the installation of signage prohibiting burning and littering in the municipality. The Environmental Health Unit was tasked with urgently initiating public sensitization campaigns and van announcements to educate residents about bye-laws related to noise, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, littering, and burning of refuse.

Responding to a request from the association, the Assembly pledged support for ornamental flower planting on streets and road reservations to enhance the municipality’s aesthetic appeal.

In his closing remarks, the Honorable MCE disclosed ongoing plans for drainage construction and the repair of malfunctioning streetlights in Tse-Addo to bolster security measures. The association members expressed appreciation for the engagement and the assurances provided by the Hon. MCE to address their concerns.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with a mutual understanding of the need for continued engagement to deliberate on issues and drive development within the Municipality. The collaborative efforts between the LaDMA and its residents reflect a dedication to building a community that thrives through active participation and shared responsibility.

LaDMA HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING

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The La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) has held its second quarter town hall meeting at the Calvary Apostolic Revival Church, with a call on the stakeholders to keep faith in the assembly system to help propel the development of the local economy by paying their rates on schedule.

The Town Hall meeting was organized under the theme: Participatory Planning and Budgeting: the Role of Stakeholders. The meeting was in the fulfilment of the Local Government Act 936 of 2016.

The Municipal Chief Executive for the assembly, Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi disclosed that LaDMA through its judicious use of public funds to improve the lives of the people in the municipality was adjudged the Second best in the country in the first ever MMDA & PFM league table published by the Internal Audit Agency. On the performance, he mentioned ongoing and completed projects during the period under review.

The aim at projecting the 2024 planning and budgeting of the Assembly to the public is to actively involve stakeholders in the shaping of the future of the municipality.

He said to improve participatory democracy and to promote an all-inclusive governance for development, accountability, and transparency, the Assembly deem it appropriate to give an account of what has transpired up to the third quarter of the year 2023.  He said the meeting was to seek the various views and support from the stakeholders in the run-up of the preparation and approval of 2024 Planning and budgeting for the running of the assembly administration in the ensuing year.

He said the Assembly has worked hand in hand with the traditional rulers, Developmental Partners and other Civil Society Organisations to jointly push developmental drive over the years.

He continued that the assembly has embarked on a number of programmes and projects that featured in the 2023 annual action plan and composite budget which includes government flagship programmes, physical projects and social interventions. According to him, the Agric Department has vaccinated 1000 pets against rabies and 8000 birds against new disease. He continued that the department has trained livestock farmers on improved farm sanitation and prevention of diseases to boost meat production in the local economy.

The Hon MCE mentioned that the YouStart has trained 131 in leadership, financial literacy, business management, bookkeeping, and tax compliance to reduced unemployment in the local economy.

On revenue, the MCE stated that the assembly employed a number of strategies to recoup all rates to meet 2023 IGF targets.

The MCE mentioned that several projects through IGF, DACF, and DDF have been completed and others are ongoing.

He said the completion of a 3 Unit Classroom blocks with ancillary facilities at St Anglican School, the La Salem Presby JHS, the ongoing 3 Unit 18 classroom blocks at La Wireless cluster of schools and the rehabilitation of South La ‘2’JHS. The road asphalting in the municipality, reshaping and patching of pothole, drains and fixing of streetlights are testimony of the assembly’s hand works.

Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi called on stakeholders to join hands with the assembly to fight youth delinquency and its related complications, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, gambling, streetism, unlawful activities on the streets, sanitation, and boundary disputes, which has been the assembly major contests.

Hon Rita Odoley Sowah, the Hon MP for the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency spoke about breast cancer and its effects on women. She admonished the women in the municipality to go to the hospital to have their breast examined because early detection saves lives.

She further continued to say that she has come into an agreement with the hospital officials at La Polyclinic charge a subsided amount to enable women in the municipality to come for the breast cancer testing. She mentioned that she has made a deposit of Five Thousand Ghana Cedis to run the test of fifty women. She mentioned that other two organisations have paid Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis each to help run the test. Hon Rita Odoley Sowah encouraged the women to take advantage to know their breast status.

LaDMA NADMO BEGINS OUTREACH PROGRAMME TO EDUCATE CAR GARAGES ON FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION.

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The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has begun outreach programme to sensitise car garages on fire safety and fire fighting to prevent fire outbreaks.

The agenda is geared towards the protection of lives and properties in the Municipality. The sensitisation which was held at the Patsims Motors Ltd on Wednesday October 18, 2023, attracted participants from other garages.

The Municipal NADMO Director, Madam Deborah Akua Ofori said the programme was a Municipal wide call to encourage car garage owners and the public to practise fire safety in the Municipality.

The car garages were identified as one of the institutions that has failed to comply with the fire safety measures, and has resulted in a number of fire outbreaks recorded in the Municipality.

The Resource Person from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), urged the participants to employ the services of qualified electrical engineers for the wiring of their homes and garages, as well as avoid the use of fake gadgets and replace electrical wires after two decades of usage.

The Head of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) team Madam Gifty Okai advised the participants to acquire quality fire extinguishers like dry chemical and Co2 (Carbone dioxide) for use at both home and the garages. She said NADMO in collaboration with the GNFS would ensure compliance with the safety precautions in all garages. She said they would visit the facilities to carry out inspection of firefighting apparatus periodically.

The officers from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) took participant through firefighting techniques and pleaded  for more education at the market places and the lorry stations.

NADMO Director Leads Successful Float and Presents Award at International Disaster Risk Reduction Celebration

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On the bright morning of October 6th, 2023, the NADMO director stood tall, ensuring a successful float during the International Disaster Risk Reduction Celebration. With meticulous planning and unwavering dedication, the NADMO team orchestrated a vibrant display of unity and preparedness, showcasing their commitment to disaster resilience.

As the c float paraded through the streets, decorated with symbols of safety and resilience, the NADMO director beamed with pride, knowing that their efforts were not in vain. Spectators lined the streets, applauding the dedication of the NADMO team and maintaining their belief in the importance of disaster risk reduction.

In the middle of the festivities, the NADMO director also had the honor of presenting an award to a participant from one of the schools that had actively engaged in the International Disaster Risk Reduction Celebration. With honest words of commendation, the director recognized the student’s exemplary dedication to promoting disaster awareness and preparedness within their community.

As the celebration drew to a close, the NADMO director reflected on the day’s events with a sense of fulfilment. Their efforts had not only ensured a successful celebration but had also inspired a new generation to take visionary steps towards building a safer and more resilient future.

LaDMA WILL IMPROVE ON POOR TRACKING OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES-MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICER, MADAM HICKMATU ABDULAI

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The Finance Officer of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) Madam Hickmatu Abdulai has urged ratepayers in the Municipality to honour their tax obligations to aid the Assembly improve on its revenue collection for the upcoming years.

Madam Hickmatu Abdulai made this call when the Assembly revenue task force close down a number of businesses that have flouted their tax compliance after a number of notices.

According to her, the Business Operating Permit is established by the Assembly byelaw. She said the byelaw is made in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Municipal Assembly by section 79 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act 462). ‘No person shall carry on any business in or upon any premises within the area of Authority of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) without a business permit duly granted by the Assembly’.

She continued that; a fee is charged in line with the nature of business for every business permit granted in accordance with the Assembly’s fee fixing resolution. Madam Hickmatu Abdulai mentioned that the Assembly might withdraw or revoke any business permit granted if any condition for granting of the permit is breached.

On closing down the business, she said the Assembly may close down business or suspend its activities until the permit fee is fully paid for the operation of the business.

Madam Hickmatu Abdulai held that any person who fails to pay his or her business permit at the prescribed time shall pay the outstanding fees plus interest at the current bank rate with effect from the day of default up to and including the day of the final payment of the fees. She said, person(s) who contravenes any provision of the BOP byelaws commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine or in default to a term of imprisonment or both.

Madam Hickmatu Abdulai held that the objective for the formation of the revenue task force was to seek to strengthen revenue administration, help combat abuses and corruption, and increase the fiscal space for public investment and social spending which is urgently needed to improve tax compliance.

She mentioned that, for the Assembly to finance any critical economic and social development within the Municipality, there is the need for stakeholders to honour their taxes. She further on indicated that the defaulters would be impeached.

Madam Hickmatu Abdulai mentioned that, lack of revenue enforcement, delay distribution of bills, accountability, basis of revenue payment, businesses unwillingness’ to pay the correct amount and poor tracking of economic activities identified as some of the challenges hostile against the Assembly’s revenue performance and assure that the Assembly would do well to address the issue to exceed their revenue target.

LA SALEM PRESBY JHS COMMISIONED

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Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi, the Municipal Chief Executive of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) has asked the pupils of the La Salem Presby JHS, and the teachers and non-teaching staff to recognise the importance of the school building to the municipality and see to its constant maintenance for generations to come.

The MCE made the call when he commissioned the 3 Unit Classroom Block with ancillary facilities at the La Presby Salem JHS. He disclosed the contract sum of the project as One Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, and Four Hundred and Twenty- One Ghana Cedis (Gh₵ 1,224, 421.00) which was sourced from the RFG District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).

The MCE said part of the Assembly’s commitment is to provide the necessary infrastructure needed to facilitate access to education and also improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Municipality. He mentioned that the new building signifies another landmark in the flight of education, empowerment and progress made in the municipality. He sustained that, for any society to develop and shape minds and talents of the youth, it would depend on education, which is the foundation stone to equip them with the required tools to steer the challenges of the modern world.

Hon Rita Odoley Sowah, the Member of Parliament of the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency urged the pupils to study well to become imminent leaders who would take over from the forebears. She advised them to avoid early pregnancy, that would cost their future and appealed to the parents to keep an eye on their children because they are the backbone of the Country.

Responding to the media, Mr Richard Ben Debrah, the Municipal Works Engineer stated that the project resumed on 31st January 2023, and was completed on 30th September 2023, a month before the scheduled time by the M/S Ellbus Company Limited under the supervision of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly Works Department. Mr Richard Ben Debrah stated that, because of scarcity land in the Municipality, the Assembly’s policy is to build vertical school blocks. He hinted that the Assembly would source for funds to complete the second phase of the building in 2024.

LaDMA COMMISSIONS SOUTH LA ‘2’ JHS

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The South La ‘2’ JHS which was run-down for years has been rehabilitated at the sum of Gh₵ 548,831.00 from the District Assembly’s Common Fund by the M/S Cameron Group International under the supervision of the La Dade- Kotopon Municipal Assembly’s Works Department.

The rehabilitation works, which was undertaken by the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), was in response to the numerous appeals made by the stake holders most especially the Assembly Member of Kaajaano Electoral Area who also doubles as the Presiding Member of the Assembly.

Commissioning the rehabilitated Three Unit Classroom block, Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi the MCE of LaDMA stated that the rehabilitation of the new block commenced on 26th May 2023 and was completed on 26th September 2023 to aid both learners and teachers have access to the new structure to facilitate teaching and learning.

According to the MCE, the commissioning of the facility was part of the Assembly’s commitment to providing good educational infrastructure for the people of La. Education is the keystone in every society and promotes development of human life he added. He urged the school authorities to cultivate maintenance culture to keep the facility in good state to stand the test of time to serve its purpose.

He called on the teaching staff and non- teaching staff as well as the pupils to take good care of the edifice and all other facilities that have been handed over into their care. Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi urged the teachers to shape the minds of the children as their core mandate. He said “You are the architects of the future of the pupils, and it is through your dedication, passion and guidance that our students would grow into responsible citizens and future leaders”.

On her part, the Headmistress of the school Madam Prasi Andriana Salifu admonished the parents to acknowledge the vital role and commitment the Assembly has shown in the lives of their children by taking education to another height in the municipality.

Madam Prasi Andriana Salifu urged the pupils to work hard to uphold the school legacy to make the investment made in them worthwhile. She appealed to the Assembly to take necessary action against the youth in the area who have turned the school compound into football playing field, which is affecting the school facilities.

She further appealed to stakeholders to provide laptops and desktop computers to the schools ITC centre to enhance computer-learning skills amongst the learners.

NADMO – LADMA In Collaboration With Ghana National Fire Service Organized A Fire Education Program Within The Labone Electoral Area For Zone 8 Mechanic Association

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In the heart of Labone Electoral area for Zone 8 Mechanic Association, a bustling hub of vehicle maintenance, the threat of fire loomed amidst the clang of tools and engine hums. Recognizing this risk, NADMO-LADMA and the Ghana National Fire Service partnered to educate and empower the mechanics on fire safety. Through engaging presentations and hands-on training, mechanics gained confidence in handling fire emergencies. NADMO of ladma and the Fire Service provided fire safety kits and established emergency hotlines, fostering a sense of security within the community. The collaboration exemplified the power of unity in promoting safety, leaving mechanics equipped to prevent disasters and ensure a safer future.

LA DADE-KOTOPON MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY (LaDMA) TAKES STEPS TO PROSECUTE RATE DEFAULTERS.

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The Municipal Finance Officer of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, Madam Hickmatu Abdulai has advised ratepayers in the Municipality to honour their outstanding amount overdue to avoid prosecution when she met with some of the business executive operating in the municipality at the Assembly Hall.

Madam Hickmatu Abdulai who made the call said, the Assembly’s problems in recouping outstanding rates were very serious and would get worse if immediate action was not taken to address.

She mentioned that, once the problems that are militating against the Assembly’s revenue target are identified, there is the need to make moves to collect them. She continued that if the Assembly fails to prosecute defaulters, payment by ratepayers would get worse and this will delay the Assembly programmes and activities.  

According to Madam Hickmatu Abdulai, prior to the Task Force enforcement, the Assembly had given notice of the exercise using a combination of Latenu Radio Station and the Assembly public education Mobile Van to create awareness for days across the electoral areas in the Municipality.

Madam Abubakar Suwaiba, the leader of the Revenue Task Force urged all stakeholders in the municipality to cooperate with the Assembly Revenue Task Force for peaceful and cordial settlement of their amount overdue.

 Mr Daniel Nkrumah, the Municipal Coordinating Director mentioned that, the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly would do well to check on businesses and property owners who have not been captured into the Assembly’s revenue data as reform to widen the revenue network.

He said businesses operating in the Municipality that have failed to honour their bills would be prosecuted.

The Assembly since September this year has stepped up its operations to meet its revenue target   for 2023.

Meanwhile, some businesses operators mentioned that they, have not received their bills for the past years and that has delayed their payment. They urged the Assembly to monitor the bills distribution mechanism to ensure that bills are distributed on schedule to avoid late payment of rates.

Some of the business operators also mentioned that the Assembly revenue collectors refused to accept part payment of the bills and wondered whether they had received a requisite training on revenue mobilisation.

Second Ordinary Meeting Of The La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly

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The La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly held its Ordinary meeting of the of the Assembly meeting, where key decisions were made to promote efficacy and development within the municipality.

During the two-day meeting held at the Assembly’s hall on July 19th and 20th, 2023, several crucial issues were legislated upon, including enhancing sanitation, boosting administrative activities, initiating new developmental projects, monitoring ongoing projects, and improving the educational system.

The meeting was attended by the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director, the Presiding Member, Assembly members, and Heads of Department.

On the first day of the meeting, Hon. Baah Nyarko, the Presiding Member, warmly welcomed all attendees, expressing his gratitude for their continual support in making astute decisions at the General Assembly.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Solomon Kotey, presented the sessional address, highlighting the Assembly’s programs, projects, and activities. Under general administration, Hon. Solomon Kotey mentioned that significant strides have been made in service delivery.

She shared encouraging news regarding revenue mobilization and financial performance, with improved collections of business operating permits and promising developments in Property Rates Collection through the Ghana Revenue Authority (G.R.A).

In terms of infrastructure development, Hon. Solomon Kotey celebrated the completion and utilization of several infrastructure projects, including a classroom block with additional facilities at South La Estate School.

He informed the house that, new projects were underway, such as the construction of a 6-Unit Classroom Block with ancillary facilities (Phase II) at the La Salem

Regarding urban transport activities, he stated that ten out of twenty-four approved lorry stations in the Municipality have received the 2023 Route Permit, with the remaining fourteen stations set to receive their permits soon.

On the grounds of deepening community participation in governance, the MCE congratulated the Presiding Member for his leadership.