By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Aug. 14, GNA — The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) has held its second fundraising ceremony to mobilise resources to implement its ambitious eight-year development plan covering 2026–2033.
The ceremony, held at the Graduate School Auditorium of the University of Cape Coast on Thursday, followed the first fundraising event at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra in March, aimed at revitalising the historic coastal city and restoring its status as the former capital of Ghana.
It brought together stakeholders from the private and public sectors, politicians, academics, traditional and religious authorities, led by Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, with Dr Julious Deborah, Chief of Staff, as special guest.
The eight-year Development Plan was based on extensive stakeholder consultations and a baseline assessment of infrastructure deficits, cultural heritage needs and socio-economic gaps, with the objective of addressing decades of underinvestment and rapid urbanisation.
The plan rests on five strategic pillars: economic growth and job creation; infrastructure and urban development; social and human capital development; environmental sustainability and climate action; and good governance and institutional strengthening.
Each pillar targets key development needs, including upgrading roads, drainage, water and sanitation infrastructure, restoring and protecting heritage sites, and strengthening climate resilience.
The plan also seeks to expand economic opportunities through tourism, skills development and youth entrepreneurship, leveraging public, private and donor partnerships to ensure timely project implementation and community participation.
With monitoring frameworks in place, the Assembly plans to track progress and ensure transparency and accountability in the development process.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr George Justice Arthur, CCMA Chief Executive, said the plan was prepared in line with Clause 3 of Section 83 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), to provide a longer-term blueprint beyond the usual four-year medium-term cycle.
He said the extended timeframe was intended to overcome limitations that hindered transformational projects under shorter cycles and leverage Cape Coast’s historic and international attractions to attract resources and interventions.
“The plan was developed through wide stakeholder engagement and will inform the 2026–2029 Medium Term Development Plan submitted to the National Development Planning Commission, with the overall goal of making Cape Coast a model sustainable, excellence- and innovation-driven city,” he said.
Mr Michael Harry Yamson, Administrator of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF), pledged support for the CCMA through the Community Partners Fund (CPF), a District Assemblies Common Fund initiative that enables individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and Ghanaians in the diaspora to finance local development projects.
He said the fund would supplement, rather than replace, statutory DACF allocations to District Assemblies in accordance with Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
He subsequently announced support for the completion of the stalled Anaafo and Abura markets, agricultural hubs, skills development centres and data centres.
Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, Cape Coast North Member of Parliament (MP), speaking on his behalf and that of Mr Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, Cape Coast South MP, committed to supporting the plan to bring economic relief to residents.
He announced strong support for basic education through the provision of teaching and learning logistics to enable more pupils to gain admission to elite schools in greater Cape Coast.
However, he lamented the high cost of hotels in the area, which he said had affected tourism, and assured that he would collaborate with stakeholders to address the challenge while improving sporting infrastructure in the area.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, who chaired the event, applauded the CCMA for spearheading development and urged stakeholders to support the initiative.
He said the development of the historic city was a shared responsibility requiring commitment, selflessness and unity of purpose.
He, however, admonished the CCMA for starting the programme late and called for more judicious use of time.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Isaac ArkohÂ
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