The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly, Honourable Christian Tetteh Badger, has underscored the critical need for attitudinal change as a prerequisite for Ghana’s development, echoing President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset Agenda”.
Speaking at a two-day Community Stakeholders’ Needs Assessment engagement organized to sensitize the residence on the 2026–2029 Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for the Municipality, Mr. Badger emphasized that the President’s vision prioritizes engagement with the people before the roll-out of development plan and project implementation.
“The President’s Reset Agenda is anchored on attitudinal change and strengthening of institutions,” he noted. “Without a shift in mindset, Ghana cannot achieve the development we all desire.”
In a bold policy move, Mr. Badger announced that 80 percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) has been earmarked directly for the development of Districts and Municipalities nationwide.
He described this as unprecedented in Ghana’s history. The remaining 20 percent of the fund, he added, will support development projects facilitated through Members of Parliament.
Touching on the President’s flagship 24-hour economy policy, the MCE said it will be matched with tangible infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, police stations, and warehouses to stimulate local economies and job creation.
He also mentioned the “Big Push Initiative” designed to revolutionize road networks nationwide and made it clear that bribery and corruption will not be tolerated under the current leadership.
“Development must be achieved in unity, with the people at the center,” he asserted.
The Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Francis Mensah, also indicated that the Assembly is working hard to resolve its office space challenges before the end of the year for Department and Units of the Assembly to have an office to work.
Mr. Kwame Brefo-Boateng, the Municipal Development Planner in a presentation stated that the 1992 Constitution gives the power for the establishment of Ghana’s Decentralization System.
He said the Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936 also establishes the District Assembly and gives it its planning mandate adding that Section 40 of the Act 936 specifies that the District Assembly shall involve the local people in the planning and budgeting activities of the district.
According to Mr. Brefo-Boateng the formulation and execution of plans, programmes and strategies are necessary for the effective mobilization of resources, for the overall development of the Municipality.
The Needs Assessment Exercise is a primary way of ensuring community involvement in the Plan Preparation Process
The event forms part of a broader national effort to ensure bottom-up planning that reflects the real needs and aspirations of communities, in line with the Government’s renewed focus on participatory governance and sustainable development.
Participants at the meeting raised key concerns including health infrastructure, Educational facilities, traditional leadership roles in Governance, and unresolved boundary disputes as issues that will be prioritized in the forthcoming MTDP spanning 2026–2029.
The meeting brought together Assembly and Unit Committee Members from all the eleven Electoral Areas in the Okaikwei North and Central Constituencies, Chiefs, Queen mothers, Departmental and Unit Heads of the Assembly, traders, and other community stakeholders.
Source: onma.gov.gh
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson, AD IIB
