NCO/UNDP SENSITIZES WOMEN AND YOUTH-LED MSMES TO TRADE UNDER AFCFTA IN JOMORO MUNICIPALITY
A sensitisation workshop was held at Crown Hotel, Half Assini for 120 women and youth-led Micro, Small Scale and Medium Enterprises to trade under the AfCFTA. The workshop pinpointed value addition to locally produced products for export.The program was organised under the auspices of UNDP, AfCFTA, and NCO and supported by the Jomoro Municipal Assembly. In attendance were Dr Fareed Arthur (National Coordinator), AfCFTA, Hon. Ato Panford (Senior Advisor), NCO, and Hon. Catherine Ablenlema Afeku (Senior Advisor), AfCFTA.
Head Of Local Government Service Visits Jomoro Municipal Assembly
The Head of Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, on Thursday 1st September 2022, paid a working visit to the Jomoro Municipal Assembly to interact with the staff. The visit forms part of the Head of Service’s familiarisation visits to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. Accompanying the Head of Service were the Chief Director of Local Government Service Mr. Oppong Mensah, the Chief Director of Western Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Frederick Agyemang and the Director of Human Resources, Local Government Service, Mr. Peter Essaim Asante. He was met on arrival by the Municipal Chief Executive, Mrs. Louisa Iris Arde, the Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Mrs. Joyce Akosua Angmorteh Miezah and some Heads of Departments. Ing. Dr. Ato Arthur commended the Assembly for the performance in the 2021 DPAT assessment and urged the staff not to rest on their oars. He reminded the officers of the need for professionalism in their quest to give their best while ensuring political neutrality, creativity and innovation. He also admonished the staff to be punctual and demonstrate the highest level of confidentiality, harmonious working relationships among colleagues and the promotion of teamwork for a healthy working environment. He responded to issues and questions raised by the staff and urged the staff to lend their full support to the Management of the Assembly, especially in the area of revenue mobilisation.
JOINT COMMEMORATION OF THE 2022 AFRICAN BORDER DAY AT ELUBO
The Municipal Chief Executive for Jomoro, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde together with the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mrs Joyce Akosua Amgmorteh Miezah, graced the commemoration of the 2022 African Border Day held at Elubo under the theme ”Challenges of the Cross-Border, Cooperation and Management of Shared Resources”. In attendance was the Special Advisor to the Cote D’ Ivoire’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Daouda Quattara, the Technical Coordinator for Transboundary Cooperation, Mr Nurudine Oyewole, the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Security Services of both Elubo, Noe Border, the Chiefs and the Media. In addressing the gathering the Hon. MCE said that the commemoration had coincided with the GREEN GHANA INITIATIVE which seeks to create a collective action towards the restoration of degraded landscapes in the country, mitigate climate change and inculcate in the youth the values of planting and nurturing trees and their associated benefits together with other activities that had been lined up. She expressed gratitude for the cordial relationship and peace that had existed between Ghana and Ivory Coast and admonished all to uphold the strength and unity to deal with terrorism in the sub-region As part of activities for the commemoration, health Screening was done for people to determine potential health disorders such as diabetes, hypertension etc. at French Nungua, Ghana Nungu. Hon. Louisa Iris Arde addressed the negative impact of the border closure of Ivory Coast on the Ghanaian Economy and admonished the Government of Ivory Coast to consider reopening it. The Special Advisor to the Cote D’Ivoire’s Prime, Minister His Excellency, Daouda Quattara expressed his gratitude to the government of Ghana for the peaceful relationship that has existed between Ghana and the Ivory Coast. He said that the government of Cote D’Ivoire had pledged his unflinching support to collaborate with the sub-region to fight terrorism. The Hon. MCE and MCD together with the security personnel from Ivory Coast and Ghana proceeded to French Nungua, Ghana Nungua and, Cocoatown to inaugurate mechanized boreholes that had been constructed by the Ghana Immigration Service in conjunction with the Jomoro Municipal Assembly.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS A NEW PRESIDING MEMBER.
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly has elected Hon. Ebenezer Paul Angovi, Assembly Member for Elubo East, as the new Presiding Member of the Assembly, following a successful voting exercise. Hon. Angovi received an overwhelming endorsement from members of the Assembly. Out of the forty eight Assembly Members present and eligible to vote, he secured forty two valid votes, representing 82.4 % of the total votes cast. Four members voted against his election, accounting for 7.8 %, while two votes, representing 3.9 %, were rejected. In her remarks, the Municipal Chief Executive commended the Honourable Members for their decisive choice, describing it as a commitment to development across their respective electoral areas. She further applauded them for their continuous support and cooperation since she assumed office, and expressed confidence that the new Presiding Member would work collaboratively with the Assembly to advance the development agenda of the Jomoro Municipality.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
Independence Day marks the end of British rule in 1957 and the establishment of a free, sovereign and independent Ghanaian nation. For this, every 6th March of the year brings ecstatic joy, happiness and pride to the good people of Ghana because the day presents opportunities to celebrate our past and present national heroes who played key roles in the struggle for independence and to consolidate our gains since independence. This national event is celebrated across the length and breadth of the country and Jomoro Municipal Assembly was not left out. The Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Municipal Education Directorate organized this year’s Independence Day celebration under the theme “Working together, bouncing back better” at Half Assini School Park. The celebration was graced by Awulae Annor Adjei, Paramount Chief and President of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Nanamↄ, Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde, Municipal Coordinating Director, Joyce Akosua Angmorteh Miezah, Headteachers and youth groups. The participatory schools include Half Assini Catholic Primary & JHS, Half Assini Methodist Primary & JHS, Nana Ayebie Primary and JHS, Ekpu Primary & JHS, Nzemaman Primary & JHS, Christ THE King Primary & JHS, Christian Academy Primary & JHS, Peace International Primary & JHS, Half Assini Senior High School as well as Annor Adjei Senior High School Cadets. In her keynote address, Hon. Loiusa Iris Arde said the theme for the celebration “Working Together Bouncing Back Better” could not be more apt considering the extent to which the COVID-19 Pandemic had ravaged the world and brought untold economic hardship to the entire globe, and the enormous effort that the NPP Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo had made to ensure that the country is able to recover. She said the rich talents and rich human qualities given to us by God would enable us to overcome the challenges posed by the global economic downturn and working together as a people would enable us to bounce back better and to prudently and efficiently manage our economy and bring rapid socio-economic development to our people. She assured that the Municipal Assembly would remain focused on the relevant issues that matter and which would enable us to build a resilient local economy and bring some significant degree of stability, peace, unity and development to the people. She revealed that the goal of the Assembly is to position the Municipality as a magnet for investment in productive ventures to create jobs for the teaming youth. Also, the Assembly is aimed at efficiency in creating a business climate that will rank very high and investing in infrastructure development that would enhance the quality of lives of our people. She said working together, we would surely bounce back better by providing quality education and health care services and making Jomoro a safe and useful abode to the citizenry. She contended as a people our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to the ideas that unite rather than divide us. Working together, we will attach ourselves to a common sense of purpose thereby bouncing back better. In conclusion, she admonished the gathering to not see the holiday as enjoyment but should find time to reflect on the way forward as we strive to build a better Ghana. They must reflect on the legacies that their forebears bequeathed to us; consider what can be added to that legacy, and commit to leaving a solid legacy for the generation after us. To the school children who had taken in the parade as well as their colleagues who could not participate as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions, teachers, identifiable groups and all who have actively participated in today’s event, she saluted and congratulated them. She urged them to continue to observe all the COVID-19 Protocols and ensure that they protect themselves and keep alive. She urged them to continue to work hard at school, take their studies seriously and remain focused on achieving excellence in every endeavour. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Awards were presented to deserving students who excelled and marched with pride during the parade and students who got distinctions in the previous WASSCE and BECE examinations.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST EMBARK ON A CLEAN-UP EXERCISE
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly collaborated with the Church to observe its Annual *Environmental Care Campaign* at Half-Assini. Chocked gutters were distilled to allow a free e flow of water. It was a way to revive the one cherished communal labor spirit Ghanaians used to exhibit. We were privileged to have the security services partake in the exercise. Hon. Louisa Iris Arde led the Assembly whilst Pastor Joseph Kingsley Anokye led the Church of Pentecost. She thanked all and sundry for their commitment shown.
JOMORO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY AND GHANA SHIPPERS AUTHORITY INAUGURATE ELUBO ARTICULATOR TERMINAL
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly in collaboration with Ghana Shippers Authority commissioned the Elubo Freight Park popularly known as Elubo Articulator Terminal The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Louisa Iris Arde expressed her profound gratitude to the Board and CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority for the wonderful show of support and commitment to the construction of the Terminal. She again extended her appreciation to all and sundry who have contributed to the successful completion of the project. Hon. Municipal Chief Executive said the objectives of the construction of the terminal is to reduce the human and vehicular traffic congestion at Elubo, help promote local economic development at the border enclave and to reduce the inconveniences that transport drivers and operators go through while in transit on the border. The Hon. Chief Executive pledged to ensure that there would be high-quality maintenance culture in the management of the facility and that good sanitation and hygiene practices would become the top priority in the day-to-day running of the facility. The Chairperson of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Madam Stella Wilson reminded the gathering of the Authority’s mandate in ensuring effective and efficient protection and promotion of the interest of shippers in Ghana’s commercial shipping sector and for Ghana’s international trade value chain. She added that there would be high expectations that more trade volumes would be moved across the borders of the continent with the introduction of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA), hence, the timeliness of this all-important Freight and Logistics Park at Elubo. Nana Affikah Anwomiah Kpanyinli who represented the Chief of Elubo thanked the Jomoro Municipal Assembly and Ghana Shippers Authority for the collaboration and asked for unity that would help to expand the project in the coming years. He also urged the managers of the facility to ensure proper usage of the facility to achieve the intended purpose of its construction. The Assistant Commissioner and Sector Commander of Elubo Collection, Rev. Joseph Gyan Mensah who spoke on behalf of the security agencies assured the Assembly of their readiness to provide adequate security to the facility and other services that would aid in the effective and efficient operation of the terminal.
Jomoro MCE tours communities to acquaint himself with problems
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region, Mr. Ernest Kofie has begun a familiarisation tour of towns and villages within the area to explain current government programs and Assembly policies to the Chiefs and people that are geared towards accelerated development of the area. The tour also meant to identify problems confronting the people and initiate strategies for solving them. This is the first familiarisation tour the MCE has embarked upon, since he was appointed by President Akufo-Addo last year and subsequently elected by the Assembly to steer the affairs of the Assembly. It is to bring local governance to the doorstep of the people and to listen to the problems of the individual towns in the Municipality. The problems facing these communities include poor roads network, toilet facilities, electricity and bad state of some school buildings. Some of the communities visited so far include; New Nzulezo, Azuleti, Mpataba, Nuba, Ndumsuazo, Nawule and New Kabenlesuazo. Addressing chiefs and people of Azuleti in a mini durbar, the MCE expressed a great deal of gratitude on behalf of the President, Akufo-Addo and entire NPP to the community for their immense support during the 2016 general elections which brought the party into power. He, however, urged the chiefs and people of the area to come together to help the government in all spheres of endeavours for developmental goals as the government cannot do it alone. He used the occasion to appeal to the chiefs and people to nurture peace and at all circumstances create peaceful atmosphere. Moreover, Mr. Kofie admonished the people to be law-abiding and fulfill all their tax commitments to the Municipal Assembly and government as a whole. He said that his door is always opened for their views, opinions and suggestions that will help the Municipality to develop rapidly. He advised the to refrain from deviant behaviours that will affect their future. He urged the farmers to embrace the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs flagship program to better their livelihoods. He said the government exists for the general well-being of every Ghanaian so the people must bury their political differences and embark on serious farming, not only to promote food security in the country but also to enhance their standard of living. The MCE promised the community with 30 bags of cement and said the cement would be donated within the week. The Queen Mother of the area, Nana Awuah Badwo III thanked the MCE for visiting them to know their concerns. She used the occasion to appeal to the MCE to establish JHS for the community to ease their burden of sending their wards to different towns to further their education. At Mpataba community, the Chief, Nana Ndefo III appealed to the MCE to renovate their existing JHS block. He said the block is on the verge of collapse and if possible the Assembly can build a new one for the community. The Headmaster of Mpataba M/A JHS, Mr. Pious Blay used the opportunity to appeal to the MCE to provide them with computers to enhance effective teaching and learning. The MCE promised to work assiduously and provide them computers as soon as possible. He, therefore, advised the students to take their studies seriously and respect their parents. He also urged the parents invest more in their children’s education and avoid buying expensive clothing. Fertiliser Establishment At Nuba community, the MCE revealed that the government has signed a partnership agreement with the Moroccan government to establish a fertilizer plant in the Jomoro Municipality. The MCE expressed worries over the land litigation which is likely to stop the project or being transferred to a new District. He appealed to the chief of the area to speak to their colleague chiefs who are fighting with the ownership of the land to ceasefire and allow the project to be done. He added that no government would invest its resources into a project which is characterized by a litigation. He said the youth in the Municipality are unemployed and said if the project comes off, it would be creating over 3,000 job opportunities indirectly and directly. The MCE pledged his total commitment to give GHC12,000 to the Nuba community to purchase a brand new water pump to repair their long damaged water project. He asked the community to rally behind President Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS flagship program and educate their children to pass well at the JHS level and enjoy the program. He also used the opportunity to advise the youth not to involve themselves in gambling activities. Nana Simanli Kpanyinli III, chief of Nuba in a welcoming address thanked the MCE for the kind gesture and pledged to supervise over the repairing of the water project. He, however, complained about the deplorable state of the four kilometre feeder road linking the community to Sowodadzem, and appealed to the Assembly to help in its rehabilitation to facilitate the movement of people and farm produce to the market centres. He assured the MCE that he would personally speak to his colleague chiefs fighting over the proposed land for the establishment of the fertiliser plant. He said he is ready to release land for oil companies which are looking for land to establish any facility in the Municipality. Some of the Chiefs in the communities presented foodstuffs and sheep to the MCE and his entourage. The MCE was accompanied by staff of the Assembly, NPP Jomoro Constituency Executive Members, the media among others. Source: Daniel Kaku
Paramount Chief calls for government support as Jomoro Municipal Assembly is inaugurated
The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, has appealed to central government to introduce deliberate policies, programmes and industrialisation measures to accelerate development in the Jomoro Municipality following its elevation to municipal status. Jomoro was among seven districts in the Western part of Ghana that were recently upgraded to Municipal Assemblies. The appeal was made during the inaugural ceremony of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly, which attracted a distinguished gathering of traditional authorities, government officials and stakeholders. The ceremony was graced by Awulae Annor Adjaye III and his sub chiefs, the Western Regional Deputy Minister, Mrs. Eugenia Kusi, the Member of Parliament for the Jomoro Constituency, Mr. Paul Essien, who also serves as Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ernest Kofie, the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Kankam Boadu, former District Chief Executives, Heads of Department, Assembly Members and other dignitaries. In his address, Awulae Annor Adjaye III called on the Western Regional Deputy Minister to convey the priorities of the people of Jomoro to the President. He highlighted the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and enhanced security to ensure the economic and financial wellbeing of the municipality and its residents. He stressed that the elevation of Jomoro to a municipal status should go beyond recognition and be matched with tangible development, particularly the construction of quality roads to boost economic activities. According to the Paramount Chief, good road networks would not only strengthen commerce and reduce the pressures on political leadership but also create employment opportunities for the youth. He noted that infrastructure development aligns with the national agenda of job creation championed by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. He further emphasised that peace and security are critical to nation building and called for the provision of quality school infrastructure, stressing that the future of the municipality depends on the proper development of its children. Awulae Annor Adjaye III also urged the Municipal Police Commander to empower officers to arrest and prosecute individuals who threaten peace and security within the municipality. He recalled that the request for improved road infrastructure had earlier been presented to President Nana Addo during his thank you tour to the area on August 8, 2017, and assured government of the readiness of traditional authorities to release land for development projects. Performing the inaugural ceremony on behalf of the President, the Western Regional Deputy Minister, Mrs. Eugenia Kusi, assured the traditional leaders and residents that government remains committed to fulfilling the promises made during the campaign period. She encouraged the people of Jomoro to put past challenges behind them and adopt exemplary conduct that would project a positive image of the municipality. She further advised residents, especially the youth, to abide by the laws governing the municipality in order to support the objectives for the establishment of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly and promote sustainable development. Source Hope FM
Jomoro Municipal Assembly supports people living with disabilities
The Jomoro Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has supported over 100 people living with disabilities. This comes as a result of the NPP government 2016 campaign promise to increase the Disability Fund Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund, from 2 per cent to 3 per cent. The donations were in such categories as financial support, medical support, education support and items and income generation. The items included deep freezers, sewing machines, shoe machines, wheelchairs, stamping machines, shoe filling machines, cooking pots, piglets, electric machines, and fufu pounding machines. The rest of the items included flour and sugar, P. A system, knitting machine, toughing machine, hair dryers, base, rollers, learner’s head, power amplifiers, and physical cash. Delivering the items to the beneficiaries at Half Assini-Takoradi Lorry Station over the weekend, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Mr. Ernest Kofie, said the government and for that matter, the Assembly had the desire to alleviate the challenges of the physically challenged and make life bearable for them. According to him, about 3.2% of the population in the Municipality is disabled, and there are slightly higher rates of disability among females than among males. He added that these segments of the population are confronted with several challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and inability to access proper healthcare and public services. “Today, the many worries and anxieties associated with disability of most of our brothers and sisters will reduce”, he assured. He emphasised, “This kind gesture is evidence of an avowed response by the NPP Government to solve the problems and the needs of people with disabilities in Ghana”. The MCE revealed that the NPP government led by President Akufo-Addo is poised to address some concerns of the disabilities in Ghana and urged the gathering to pray hard for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government to enable them keep the disabled in mind. “Today’s event is a clear demonstration that the government is poised to ensure that people living with disabilities have a good standing in society and the family. Let us pray for God’s guidance along the path of truth, justice, and to enable the President and the NPP Government to acquaint themselves with you, more than we are seeing today”, he said. He revealed to the gathering that the disbursement is in line with the guidelines of the District Assemblies Common Fund, in which a percentage of the total amount transferred to the Assemblies is allocated to persons with disabilities. “The Nana Akufo-Addo-led government has fulfilled its campaign promise of increasing the Disability Fund Component of the District Assemblies Common Fund, from 2% to 3%. The beneficiaries, who applied to the Assembly for support to embark on various forms of economic ventures, pay their medical bills and undergo surgical operations, pay their school fees and settle vocational training cost will be catered for today as the first batch of beneficiaries under the new arrangement. The Assembly is still receiving applications. I, therefore, call on all those who are disabled and have not applied to do so to enable them benefit from the fund”, he explained. He used the occasion to commend the Social Welfare Department and the Fund Management Committee of the Assembly for the thorough work done to select the beneficiaries and ensure that the funds were disbursed to the right people. Mr. Kofie advised those who found themselves in various schools sponsored by the Assembly to study hard in order to be successful in various professions in the future. He said to those who are in the skills training section to be humble to their masters and mistresses and to be trained and come out successfully. He also urged those who are in income generation to use the money given to them judiciously in order to expand their businesses and employ other people to work with. “Be less dependent,” he charged them. The MCE entreated the beneficiaries to do exactly what they requested the money for and also urged them to approach the Assembly for any technical advice or support in case of challenges. He used the opportunity to remind them that there would be intensive monitoring exercises to see how they were faring with the support received. “A team from the Assembly will be visiting the beneficiaries in this light. Applicants who used their share of the fund differently from what they applied for will not be spared”, he warned. Speaking to GhanaWeb’s Western Regional Correspondent after the ceremony, the MCE called on the Assembly members and all people in the area to assist the Assembly in generating more revenue for developmental projects. According to him, “the Assembly will soon embark on education and subsequent embossment of motorbikes, tricycles, cargo cars, Aboboya and other items. The Assembly seeks maximum support and cooperation of all”. The Western Regional President of Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Mr. Samuel Quansah, thanked the Assembly and government for supporting them with cash, items and educational assistance. He also thanked the MCE for being truthful to them and asked God to bless him abundantly. He also urged them not to squander the money and desist from sitting on the streets and begging for money for survival, and encouraged them not to be discriminated. Mr. Samuel Nyansu, the Jomoro Municipal Social Welfare Director, applauded the current government for this initiative to help persons living with disabilities to live a better life. He revealed that in the past, the government only gave the money to the disabled in physical cash, which allowed them to squander the money. “In the past we give the money to the beneficiaries in cash without encouraging them to use the money judiciously and always their lives do not improve but today this government has done well for initiating this program which will not allow them to squander the money and in fact this unprecedented, it has not happened before, I thank the government and MCE Ernest Kofie for this move”, he said. Mr. Nyansu, who is also the