By Isaac Newton Tetteh
Kpone, Nov. 09, GNA - The Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) in the Greater Accra Region has been elevated to metropolitan status, marking a pivotal transition for the area and stirring hope for accelerated development.
Based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo gave approval to the elevation of three assemblies to metropolitan status and 12 districts to municipal status in line with the legal provision as stipulated in the Local Government Act 936.
Dr Samuel Oko Amanquah, the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed gratitude to the president on behalf of the chiefs and people of the area for the honour.
He said the assembly had a vision to expand infrastructure, improve public services, and create economic prosperity for its residents.
Dr. Amanquah emphasised that achieving metropolitan status opened doors for increased resource allocation and expanded projects across sectors, saying Kpone-Katamanso had a renewed focus on development in critical areas like health, education, and agriculture.
“This shift allows us to attract more investments and strengthen partnerships that will accelerate the growth of Kpone Katamanso.”
Addressing health infrastructure, Dr. Amanquah revealed plans for new health centres and the upgrading of existing facilities, highlighting the assembly’s ongoing efforts to enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural communities.
He stressed that “we’re committed to reducing healthcare disparities by bringing essential services closer to the people.”
In the education sector, he outlined initiatives to build more schools and enhance existing ones, with particular attention to providing modern learning resources and digital tools.
He stated that education is the foundation of progress, and the plan was that every child in Kpone-Katamanso have access to the best possible resources and opportunities.
Dr. Amanquah further revealed his outfit’s plans to support local farmers through training programmes, improved irrigation systems, and access to markets, emphasising the assembly’s goal to enhance food security and create job opportunities within the agricultural sector, making it more profitable and sustainable.
“Our farmers are resilient, and with the right support, they can thrive,” he said, adding that “we aim to implement modern farming techniques and increase crop yields, which will bolster the local economy and provide employment.
Water supply challenges have been a long-standing issue specifically for the Kpone community, affecting residents’ quality of life and economic activities; this he acknowledged and assured residents that measures were underway to address the challenges as the assembly was working with the Ghana Water Company and other partners to improve water infrastructure, expressing confidence that residents would soon see a notable improvement.
Dr. Amanquah envisioned a prosperous future for Kpone-Katamanso as a metropolitan assembly. “This new status brings not just administrative recognition but a greater sense of pride and potential for the people of Kpone-Katamanso. Our aim is to create a city where everyone can prosper, with opportunities that match the ambitions of our people.”
With metropolitan status, Kpone Katamanso stands on the cusp of transformative development, embodying the promise of progress and a renewed commitment to the well-being of its residents.
GNA