THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR JOMORO INSPECTS THE ELUBO BORDER AFTER THE REOPENING OF THE NOE BORDER.
The Republic of Côte D’Ivoire officially reopened the Noe border which had been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to growing coronavirus cases, the Noe border was closed on 22 March 2020. Almost three years later, it has reopened to allow movement to and from neighbouring countries. The reopening came into effect on 15 February 2023. On Thursday, February 16, 2023, the Municipal Chief Executive for Jomoro Municipal Assembly, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde led a team from the Assembly to inspect the Elubo border. The Hon. MCE was briefed by the Sector Commander of Ghana Immigration Service, the 2ic of Customs Division of GRA and other security officers. They assured the Hon. Municipal Chief Executive of their adequate preparedness to deal with any threat that would disturb the peace and security of the country. The Hon. Chief Executive thanked them for remaining vigilant during the period of the closure and appealed to them to tighten the security at the various unapproved routes to avert any attack on the citizens and block all illegal activities that would otherwise deny the state revenue. She said Assembly would support them to help discharge their assigned duties. She observed traders crossing to and from the borders to transact businesses and said she was optimistic that the life of the residents would be invigorated since the reopening would boost trading activities and help the Municipal Assembly to generate enough revenue to undertake developmental projects in the area. She used the opportunity to inspect a diseases control centre facility constructed at the border by UNDP, a Wash facility and the GLS Scan site at Elubo.
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE HELD IN HALF ASSINI
Following the outset of the rains and their attendant effects in some flood-prone areas identified in the Municipality, the Jomoro Municipality Assembly yesterday 24th March 2023 in collaboration with the Christian Council of Churches, undertook a cleanup exercise in Half Assini. The exercise was led by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde and had in attendance officials from the Jomoro Municipal Assembly, Security Services, and Community members. The MCE in addressing the gathering after the exercise advised the citizens to avoid indiscriminate littering as they end up choking the gutters which engenders the flooding situation experienced in some of the areas. She also underscored the need to keep our surroundings clean at all times. She finally thanked all and sundry for partaking in the exercise.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIALLY HANDS OVER TIKOBO NO 1 MARKET FOR PAVEMENT
As part of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly’s long-term vision to modernise market infrastructure across the municipality, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, officially handed over the market pavement project to E.K Construction Company Limited to commence work. The project, which seeks to improve the trading environment and enhance safety and accessibility within the market, will be executed in phases. This approach is intended to minimise disruption and avoid undue hardship for traders who rely on the facility for their daily livelihoods. In her address, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde appealed to all stakeholders, particularly traders and residents, to cooperate fully and bear with the contractor throughout the duration of the project. Ahead of the commencement of construction works, the Chief of the community, Nana Namoah Ackah Arizi III, performed a libation on Friday, February 10, 2023, to formally bless and pave the way for the successful execution of the project. The first phase of the pavement works is expected to be completed within three months. The project underscores the Assembly’s commitment to improving market infrastructure and promoting local economic development through sustainable and well-planned interventions.
PETROLEUM HUB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ENGAGES WITH THE CHIEFS AND PEOPLE OF JOMORO
On the 23rd January 2023, The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) Mr Charles Owusu led his Operations and Technical Team to engage with the Chiefs and people of the Jomoro Municipality. The engagement forms part of the Corporation’s periodic engagements with the people to update them on the progress of work done in preparation for setting up Africa’s first Petroleum and Petrochemical Hub in the Jomoro enclave. In attendance was Awulae Annor Adjei (Paramount Chief of Western Nzema Traditional Council), Hon. Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (Western Regional Minister), Hon. Louisa Iris Arde (Municipal Chie Executive, Jomoro Municipal Assembly), Mr Charles Owusu (Chief Executive Officer, PHDC), Nana Ama Tima Boakye (Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Technical and Operations) Mrs Joyce Akosua Amgmorteh Miezah (Municipal Coordinating Director), the Chiefs and Queen Mothers. The her welcome address, the MCE, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde said that she was pleased that the Board and management of Petroleum Hub Development Corporation scheduled this meeting in the first month of the year to show how dedicated they are to getting this project underway. She said upon completion of the project, the country will reduce the cost of importing petroleum and other related products which will subsequently help boost the economy and create jobs as well. She disclosed that during the last meeting in August 2022 which was meant to update the stakeholders on the project, she made it known that the Western Regional Coordinating Council together with the board would continue to engage affected farmers and land owners to complete the compulsory acquisition which would enable the commencement of the project and reported that steady progress had been made in that regard. She added that His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is very much interested in the project and for this reason, the project has been pencilled down as one of the priority projects under the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter and when completed would reduce the unemployment rate in the region and the country. She divulged that the hub is expected to cover 20,000-acre land in the Domunli enclave in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana. She stated that when the hub is completed, it would have the potential to create employment for over 780 teeming youth in the Nzema enclave in particular and the country. She said the Western Region is blessed and fortunate to have this project situated in the region because it would position the region for many economic opportunities and further open it up for new businesses. The MCE reminded the gathering that, in the past, the siting of the Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) was earmarked for the municipality but ended up in the Ellembelle District and this time, the Petroleum Hub should not slip through the fingers and that the Assembly is committed to the cause and will get it done. She said she believed as stakeholders, they need to put in maximum efforts to get the project done as soon as possible so that the dream of becoming the Petroleum Hub in the West African Sub-Region would become a reality and urged all participants to dispassionately bring their ideas to make the forum a success. Awulae Annor Adjei, the President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council and Chairman of the Board of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation in his remarks rallied support for the project and declared that the project had come too far to fail and that there were several attempts in the past for the establishment of the petrol chemical industry, but it did not materialise. He said with the current progress and commitment, the project needs the support of all to ensure that it takes off and gets completed to benefit the people. He noted that the government had gone through the processes for the land acquisition and stakeholder consultations and debunked the rumour that monies have been paid to the chiefs or individual landowners for the 20,000 acres of land allocated for the project. The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, commended the chiefs and people for their commitment to ensuring that the project succeeds. He said the government had gone through the process to acquire land for the project to the take-off. He said the people whose lands are part of the area of interest have been contacted and would make sure the best story of the petroleum hub is told when all is done. He urged the youth to sharpen their existing skills and acquire more technical skills in readiness for jobs during the construction phase and actual commencement of the project. He commended the company for the regular interactions and the update towards the operationalisation of the hub, which would create another growth pole in the Region for the country. He stated that as a Region that produces a chunk of the country’s resources, the time has come for the indigenes to start owning the projective assets in the Region and support the development of the country. Mr Charles Owusu, the CEO of PHDC emphasized the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the estimated $60 Billion investment sees the light of day. He recounted several operational activities that have been completed in the acquisition of the 20,000-acre land required for the project. He indicated that all the necessary documentation required has been submitted and is pending the cabinet’s approval and issuance of an Executive Instrument to complete the land acquisition processes from the chiefs and the people. Mr Owusu further explained that the Corporation is at an advanced stage in discussions and negotiations with an investor to sign phase one for the project to commence. He assured the people that deserving compensations as per the constitution would be paid to affected farmers, landowners, and communities after the process of compulsory land acquisition is fully completed. He entreated the people of Jomoro, especially communities directly affected by the project to keep being optimistic and support the project to succeed. The Operations and Technical team, led by the Deputy CEO, Nana Ama Tima Boakye took time to explain the project phases and the implementation plan highlighting the different project components coming up in the petroleum hub – petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, storage facilities, jetties, port and other ancillary infrastructure.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY COMMISSIONS NEW OFFICE COMPLEX
The commissioning of the new office complex has brought significant relief to both staff and residents of the Jomoro Municipality, marking an important milestone in the Assembly’s efforts to improve administrative efficiency and service delivery. The office complex, which had been partially completed and abandoned for over seven years, remained unused despite several attempts to engage the original contractor. These efforts proved futile, as the project was initially awarded by the central government, leaving the Assembly with limited control over its completion. Determined to prevent the waste of state resources, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde, took a bold and strategic decision to complete the facility for immediate use. The completion of the complex is intended to create adequate office space for departments currently operating outside the Assembly, thereby promoting closer collaboration and a stronger sense of unity among staff working towards a common goal. Additionally, offices previously occupied by staff within the township will be converted into residential accommodation to address staff housing challenges. The office complex was officially commissioned today by the leadership of the Local Council of Churches, following a joint morning devotion with the management and staff of the Assembly. During the ceremony, prayers were offered to commit the staff and people of Jomoro into God’s hands for a successful and productive 2023. Hon. Louisa Iris Arde expressed her profound appreciation to the Local Council of Churches for their spiritual support and prayers, and reaffirmed her commitment to initiatives that enhance efficiency, unity and development within the municipality.
PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY, HON. LOUISA IRIS ARDE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CANCELLING OF “KING KAKU AKA NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, HUMANITARIAN AID AND FUN GAMES DAY 2023”.
It has become necessary for me to convene this Press Conference to explain to you the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the “KING KAKU AKA NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, HUMANITARIAN AID AND FUN GAMES DAY 2023” in Half Assini on Monday, 2nd January, 2023 so as to debunk any allegation making the rounds in the public domain concerning the said event. I will also take this opportunity to state the position of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) on this matter. On Thursday, 8th December, 2022 I received a letter dated 30th November, 2022 from “Nzema Koyele Eku” inviting me to “KING KAKU AKA NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, HUMANITARIAN AID AND FUN GAMES DAY 2023” slated for Monday, 2nd January, 2023. On 14th December, 2022 a counter letter was received from Nana Ayebie Amihere opposing the KING KAKU AKA NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, HUMANITARIAN AID AND FUN GAMES DAY 2023. Let me be clear on this, the Jomoro Municipal Assembly is not against individuals and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) giving humanitarian assistance to the needy, vulnerable in society and widows. In furtherance of this, the Municipal Assembly lauded the effort by Nzema Koyele Eku to give humanitarian aid to some needy people in Jomoro Municipality. On August 26th 2022, I celebrated the one-year anniversary with the Hope of Widows Association at Half Assini, a recognised widows association. This goes to emphasize that, I am not against any kind of support extended to vulnerable groups in Jomoro especially widows. However, the organization of the programme under the auspices of King Kaku Aka posed a serious security threat to Jomoro Municipality as revealed by assessment of the security situation on the ground based on available intelligence. In view of that, the Municipal Assembly in a letter dated 14th December, 2022 with reference number JMA.01/10/24 advised the organisers (Nzema Koyele Eku) to terminate all arrangements towards the King Kaku Aka new year celebration to enable the Municipal Assembly carry out further consultations with MUSEC and other relevant stakeholders on the proposed celebration. In order to sustain the peace and security in the Jomoro Municipality, in a letter dated 21st December, 2022 with reference number JMA.01/10/25, the Municipal Security Council invited representatives from Nzema Koyele Eku, who are officials from King Kaku Aka’s office, Half Assini Chief and his Elders to an emergency MUSEC meeting on Friday, 23rd December, 2022 at the Municipal Assembly Hall, Half Assini. At the meeting both factions took entrenched positions Nana Ayebie Amihere VI and his Elders declared their intentions to prevent the programme from taking place whether King Kaku Aka attends the programme or not contrary to MUSEC’s recommendation that the event could take place but without King Kaku Aka in attendance. On the other hand, the programme organisers also vehemently vowed to ensure that King Kaku Aka attends the event by all means contrary to MUSEC’s advice not to allow him to attend. In view of the foregoing, MUSEC took a decision to suspend the programme indefinitely and a letter to that effect was sent to all parties involved. I must admit that this decision was imperative in averting potential chaos. I therefore crave your indulgence to draw your attention to these facts relative to the programme: This development implies that any attempt to go ahead with the programme before the Court determines the case would clearly be in contempt of the Court. In addition, on 30th December, 2022, the Regional Police Command through an Ex-Parte application secured an order from the Sekondi High Court (MOTION NO. 06/2023) prohibiting King Kaku Aka, Dr. Francis Appoh and Nzema Koyele Eku from holding the King Kaku Aka new year celebration humanitarian aid and fun games day. Our friends from the media, in spite of the security implications the organizers still decided to go ahead with the programme on 2nd January, 2023 in breach of MUSEC directive. MUSEC was therefore compelled to call for a backup from the Regional Police Command and National Security to beef up security in the Municipality at the time. In the process the security operatives deemed it strategic to stop the programme altogether instead of allowing it to degenerate into full blown conflict between the factions. Let me please reemphasize that the decision to cancel the King Kaku Aka new year celebration was aimed at ensuring the maintenance of peace and public safety and was in the best interest of the people of Jomoro. This has nothing to do with me personally, it was simply security experts acting on explicit intelligence by taking preemptive action. I would like to ask these questions for us to ponder on: As a Chief Executive, my mandate and aim is to ensure peace and development for the people of Jomoro. I am not here for any chieftaincy dispute neither do I belong to any chieftaincy faction. When finality is brought to any protracted chieftaincy issue in court and supported by the relevant documents and brought to the attention of the Assembly, I will pay homage to the said chief. On that note, thank you for the audience in addressing this issue.
MUNICIPAL FARMERS’ DAY CELEBRATION
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly on Friday, 2nd December 2022 observed its 38th edition of the National Farmers’ Day Anniversary Celebrations under the theme ‘’ACCELERATING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH VALUE ADDITION’’ This year’s celebration was held at the Beyin Catholic School Park, to appreciate and thank the hardworking farmers and fishermen within the Municipality. In attendance were the Paramount Chief of Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Annor Adjei III, Nanamↄ, Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde, Municipal Coordinating Director, and Heads of Department of the Assembly, Heads of Security Services, farmers and fishermen. In her keynote address, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde said Ghana has a competitive advantage of using agriculture as a tool for the transformation of the National economy because the climate conditions in most parts of the country support the production of non-traditional crops such as rice, vegetables, and fruits, among others better than other countries. This means that through increased production and value chain enhancement, agriculture can lead to an increase in foreign exchange, improving the country’s resources and ensuring a stable economy. She highlighted the tremendous initiatives aimed at agriculture that the government and MMDAs are undertaking to modernize and improve agricultural production and productivity. She touched on Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme, which is contributing significantly to agricultural production. She disclosed that under the programme, the Assembly had raised 13,000 coconut seedlings and supplied them to 106 farmers. 320,000 cocoa nurseries were also raised by the Assembly in collaboration with the Cocoa Health and Extension Division and supplied to 112 farmers. 5,500 rubber stumps were also received and distributed to 46 farmers and encouraged everyone to partake in the ongoing registration to increase the number of farmers on this programme. She hoped that the programme would enhance food security, improve stakeholders along the value chain, increase growth in incomes, increase employment for the youth, women, aged, and PLWDs, value addition of farm produce, enhance private sector participation in the supply chain such as seed maize, improved cassava cuttings, vegetable seeds, improved breeding stock (pigs, poultry, fingerlings, sheep and goat), increase access to extension services and also enhance access to credit and inputs for agriculture in the Municipality. She congratulated the winners and urged them to work harder to win Regional and National Awards. A 47-year-old resident from Teako No. 2 Mr Yaro Kwao Micheal Yakubu was adjudged the 2022 Overall Best Farmer. He received a motorbike, 1 piece of cloth, 5 machetes, 2 pieces of insecticide, 1 litre of weedicide, 2 pieces of Knapsack sprayer, 2 wellington boots, 1 T-shirt and a certificate.
THE MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR JOMORO MUNICIPAL ENGAGES WITH SOME COMMUNITIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY
As part of her mandate to promote and implement government policies at the local level, deliver quality public services and improve social inclusion, the Municipal Chief Executive for Jomoro Municipal Assembly, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde engaged with some communities in the Jomoro Municipality from 15th to 19th August, 2022. She was accompanied by some key staff and Assembly Members. The communities visited were Ellonyi, Kengen, Twenen, Agyeza, Allengenzule, Allowule, Mpeasem, Anlomatuope, Jaway, Jaway Wharf, Metika, Mbem, Tikovo No.2, Bawia, Nvellenu, Ebonloa, Nsuoano, Ghana Nungua, Cocoatown, New Ankasa, Fante Newtown Samenye, New Nzulezo, Azuleti and Nuba She expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and Elders for the unflinching support and fervent prayers they offered during her nomination and confirmation as the Municipal Chief Executive for the Jomoro Municipal Assembly. She threw light on the projects that the Assembly had completed and the ongoing ones in the respective communities. The communities presented a host of issues to her and she assured them that t Management of the Assembly would take the necessary steps to ensure that the issues were addressed. She added that the Assembly is working very hard to bring the needed development that would improve the living conditions of the people in the Municipality and called for their full support and cooperation.
MCE TOURS EXAMINATION CENTERS
There was a scene of excitement among students (candidates) at all the centres in the Jomoro Municipality on Monday, October 17, 2022, at the commencement of the 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination when the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Loiusa Iris Arde, toured the centres to monitor the process as well as encourage the students to approach the exams with the mindset of achieving excellence to urge them to the next level of their educational pursuit. The Municipal Chief Executive, accompanied by the Municipal Information Officer, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service and other senior officers of the Ghana Education Service in Half Assini visited all the centres in the municipality to interact with the candidates, invigilators and supervisors. The visit afforded her the opportunity to encourage the candidates to give off their best and avoid examination malpractices which could jeopardize their future. Hon. Louisa Iris Arde further asked the students to shun fear and put up a sterling performance in anticipation of attaining excellent results at the end of the examination process which is expected to end on Friday, October 21. She said that the BECE was very critical in the academic path of Junior High School students as it offers the ladder to open up doors to their future and advised the invigilators to provide an environment that would enable the students to successfully go through the process.
WESTERN REGIONAL MINISTER TOURS JOMORO DISTRICT
The Minister for Western Region, Hon. Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, yesterday, 9th September 2022, paid a working visit to the Jomoro Municipality. The purpose of his visit was to inspect projects that the Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, had initiated in the Municipality. He first paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Annor Adjei III and presented to the Awulae his vision to ensure that the Western Region becomes the number one tourism destination in Ghana. As a result, he toured Fort Apollonia at Beyin to determine its current state and assess its tourism potential. He proceeded to Nzulezo to have a panoramic view and also unearth the tourism capacities of the area that would help the Government to implement policies that would help attract tourists to the area. He again went to Elubo to inspect the completed Articulator Terminal and a 42-bed Polyclinic that the Government has built. In a meeting with the contractor, it was disclosed to the Minister that the facility is 99% complete and boasts an Out-Patient Department, Theatre, In-Patient Service, Medical, Pediatrics, Maternity Wards, Sterilisation, store, delivery rooms, Pharmacy and ultra-modern medical equipment. In an interview with the media, the Hon. Minister posited that by November, 2020, the President would inaugurate the facility to improve health delivery to the people and also ease the pressure on the Half Assini Government Hospital. The Hon. Minister furthermore went to Ezinlibo to inspect the Forward Operating Base (FOB) to ascertain the progress of work and the challenges thereof. The Minister had an engagement with the Engineers and Consultants of Amandi and Vulux Constructions, and he was told that the project is 34% complete and is expected to be completed by the 4th quarter of 2024. In bringing his visit to a close, the Minister met with the management and staff of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly at Half Assini and interacted with them. He spoke on strategies that would help the Assembly to generate more revenue. He also touched on the reintroduction of the Town Council to help deal with sanitation in the Region.