By Kekeli K. Blamey
Adidome (VR), Nov. 12, GNA – The Central Tongu District Assembly has held a Town Hall Meeting in Adidome to engage citizens, institutions, and community leaders on the district’s development achievements, challenges, and future plans.
The meeting, chaired by Togbe Kwasinyi Kaklaklolo Agyeman V, Dufia of Adidome, formed part of efforts to deepen participatory governance, which brought together over 420 participants in person, while thousands more joined virtually.
It also featured 10 students each from Mafi-Kumase Senior High Technical School (MAKSEC) and Adidome Senior High School (ADISEC), who were given first-hand exposure to civic engagement and local governance.
Speaking at the event, Mr Dodzi Addison Mornyuie, the District Chief Executive (DCE), said that the event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess collective progress and reaffirm their shared commitment to building a stronger, inclusive, and prosperous district.
He said the Assembly continues to implement key interventions to enhance economic growth and social well-being.
“Thirty-eight young entrepreneurs under the Adwumawura Programme are currently undergoing training at the Sogakope Business Resource Centre,” he disclosed, adding that the initiative aims to build entrepreneurial capacity and promote youth employment.
On improving public safety, Mr Mornyuie noted that “1,500 streetlights have been secured to enhance security and improve visibility across our communities.”
He acknowledged challenges in local revenue generation, stating that “revenue mobilisation remains low, but we are implementing digital systems to improve efficiency.”
Mr Mornyuie expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hotordze, for his continuous support toward the development of the district, as well as to traditional authorities, heads of departments, and the media for their contributions to the success of the engagement.
Mr Hotordze, in his remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting development across key sectors, including education, agriculture, health, and job creation.
He said several initiatives had been implemented to improve livelihoods and enhance service delivery, adding that efforts were underway to attract more investors to the district to create employment opportunities for the youth.
He urged young people to take advantage of emerging opportunities and refrain from engaging in social vices.
Several reports were also received from the various sectors in the district.
On education, Madam Happy Tsifokor, the District Director of Education, commended both the MP and the DCE for their continued support to the sector.
She, however, called for additional intervention to address teacher shortages, furniture deficits, and logistical challenges, including the need for an additional vehicle to facilitate effective monitoring.
She disclosed that the district recorded an 85 per cent pass rate in the 2023 WASSCE and 77 per cent in 2024, noting that with more resources, the district could achieve even better results.
On security, the District Police Commander, Superintendent Sylvanus Dalmeida, highlighted issues of assault and farmland destruction arising from cattle grazing activities.
He assured residents of the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and appealed to the Assembly to support the construction of a befitting district police headquarters and the procurement of a new patrol vehicle, as the existing one had been out of service for years.
He also encouraged residents to collaborate with the police by reporting criminal activities promptly to ensure peace and security in the district.
On the health sector, the District Health Director, Mr Baba Awuni, disclosed that the district recorded no maternal deaths during the period under review, with overall health service performance rated at 90 percent.
He, however, noted challenges relating to staff shortages and inadequate health infrastructure and called for urgent support to sustain quality healthcare delivery in the district.
Participants were drawn from a broad cross-section of the Central Tongu community, including traditional authorities, religious leaders, assembly members, market women, drivers, okada riders, fisher folks, teachers, youth groups, civil society organisations, and heads of departments.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie