AMA hosts PFM town hall meeting to showcase development projects

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has kicked off its Public Financial Management (PFM) Town Hall Meeting series to showcase developmental projects undertaken by the government since 2017.

The event, which took place at the AMA City Hall in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District, attracted a large gathering of residents, local leaders, and key stakeholders.

In a welcome address, the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth K.T. Sackey, expressed the Assembly’s commitment to improving the lives of residents through the efficient use of public funds.

The Mayor emphasised the significant role of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in delivering crucial projects across the country.

She stated that the AMA, with the support of the government, had implemented various programs to improve the social and economic conditions of residents, regardless of political or ethnic affiliations.

Highlighting the education sector, Mayor Sackey mentioned several completed and ongoing projects, including the construction of a three-story, 18-unit classroom block for Independence Avenue Cluster of Schools, a two-unit kindergarten block for Bubuashie 1 Basic School, and a childcare centre at Old Fadama.

She also noted the distribution of 2,850 dual desks to public basic schools in the metropolis and the declaration of Accra as the 2023 World Book Capital to promote reading.

The mayor encouraged residents to continue supporting the government, citing the various projects as evidence of the Assembly's commitment to improving Ghanaians' living conditions.

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP stressed the importance of the party's commitment to accounting for its achievements under President Akufo-Addo's administration.

She added that the government had delivered on key policies since 2016, including the Free SHS initiative, which was once criticized by opponents.

In a presentation on projects undertaken in Ashiedu Keteke and Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, noted that the city's economic development was being supported through the construction of market sheds to accommodate 270 stalls at the 31st December Makola Market and the redevelopment of Salaga Market in Ussher Town.

According to him, several roads in the Odododiodio constituency, including Adedenkpo Road and Fearon Road, have been improved with asphaltic overlays, totalling a length of 3.1 kilometres, adding that health services in the community have been enhanced with the expansion of Ussher Hospital in Jamestown.

He also cited the installation of street lights in Jamestown and Bukom, which have improved safety and security, and noted that environmental and sanitation projects, such as the desilting of drains and multiple clean-up exercises in areas like Agbogbloshie and London Market, had significantly contributed to maintaining a cleaner city environment.

Mr. Ankrah pointed out that programs aimed at road safety, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, had been implemented in various parts of the city, including Jamestown, to reduce road crashes and improve public safety.

On projects undertaken in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District, Mr. Ankrah mentioned key achievements in education, including the construction of a water closet toilet facility at Mamprobi Sempe Cluster of Schools and the development of an AstroTurf at Mamprobi Girls School.

In the health sector, he mentioned the continuation and construction of a two-story maternity/theatre block at Kaneshie Polyclinic, as well as the construction of a storage facility at the Mamprobi Hospital.

The presentation also touched on infrastructure improvements, including the asphaltic overlay of Mantse Kwao Road, covering a length of 1.5 km, as well as efforts in environment and sanitation, highlighting the numerous clean-up exercises organised to maintain cleanliness in the community.

The final town hall meeting was held at the Church of Pentecost, Kaneshie Central, in the Okakoi South Sub-Metropolitan District on Thursday, August 22, 2024.