UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Roland Atanga Ayoo, has outlined a series of measures being pursued by the Municipal Assembly to improve sanitation, revenue mobilisation, infrastructure, staff welfare and economic development in the municipality
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sadat Dabo of gbcuraonline.com, Mr. Ayoo said his administration inherited a number of challenges but was determined to work with residents and other stakeholders to move Bolgatanga towards greater development
According to the MCE, sanitation remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting the municipality, with indiscriminate disposal of waste and open defecation continuing to pose difficulties
Six contractors to manage sanitation zones
Mr. Ayoo disclosed that Bolgatanga has been divided into six sanitation zones, with the Assembly at the final stages of its procurement process to engage six contractors to manage sanitation activities across the municipality
He said the initiative was being undertaken in collaboration with Sustainable Cities, which is expected to provide materials to support the contractors
The MCE said several refuse dumps had already been cleared in parts of the municipality, while efforts had also been made to restore sanitation vehicles that were reportedly in poor condition when he assumed office
He, however, stressed that sanitation could not be solved through logistics alone
“The problem there is attitudinal,” Mr. Ayoo said, citing open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal among behaviours that continue to undermine sanitation efforts
He called for greater public participation and urged residents to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean
Assembly to strengthen revenue mobilisation
On internally generated funds, the MCE acknowledged that Bolgatanga has significant revenue potential but said the Assembly needs reliable data and stronger systems to fully exploit it
He cited containers, “Yellow Yellows” Properties, hotels, restaurants, markets and other businesses as potential sources of revenue
According to him, the Assembly is exploring a pilot project that will involve collecting detailed information on properties and businesses in selected communities, including whether properties have permits and whether owners are paying the required rates
He said traditional authorities could also play a role in helping the Assembly identify properties and residents within their respective areas
Mr. Ayoo further disclosed plans to explore technology-based revenue collection systems to improve transparency and enable the Assembly to track payments more effectively
MCE raises concerns over Assembly properties
The MCE also disclosed that some Assembly properties and stores were operating under agreements that had expired
He cited the GNTC stores, saying agreements involving some occupants had expired in 2023 but the occupants were still operating the facilities in 2026.
He said the Assembly had begun taking steps to recover such properties and regularise their use
Mr. Ayoo also raised concerns about some store occupants allegedly partitioning Assembly-owned stores and subletting portions to other individuals without authorisation
He said efforts to address such practices form part of the Assembly’s broader revenue mobilisation strategy
Staff welfare and Assembly infrastructure
The MCE said improving staff welfare was another priority of his administration
He disclosed that some Assembly offices had serious structural challenges, including leaking roofs and damaged facilities
According to him, the Finance Department had experienced significant leakage problems, while the NADMO office and the Non-Formal Education facility were also among areas requiring attention
He said repair works were ongoing in several offices, stressing that the Assembly needed to address structural problems before focusing on issues such as painting
The MCE also disclosed that the Assembly had secured furniture to improve working conditions for Assembly Members and other participants
896 pieces of furniture secured
Mr. Ayoo said the Assembly had secured 896 pieces of furniture, comprising different categories of desks and chairs
He explained that the furniture formed part of efforts to improve the learning environment in schools and support educational development within the municipality
He also said about 65 pieces of furniture had been provided for Assembly Members, with an additional 35 being sought to bring the total to 100
Poor roads remain a major challenge
The MCE identified poor roads, particularly in the hinterlands, as another major challenge confronting the municipality
He said the Assembly had been using its equipment to undertake road works but rainfall had affected some of the projects
He indicated that the Assembly intended to intensify re-gravelling of roads when the rainy season ends and the dry season begins
Support for families and education
Mr. Ayoo said the Assembly had also supported vulnerable families and farmers
He disclosed that approximately 500 farmers received fertiliser support in the previous month
He also said the LEAP programme was ongoing, with new beneficiaries being processed for inclusion in the system
On education, the MCE acknowledged that the Assembly no longer operates its former scholarship system but said support was being provided through other interventions
He commended the Member of Parliament for Bolga Central, Isaac Adongo for supporting students through sponsorship packages, particularly students at the senior high school and tertiary levels
Bolga needs stronger infrastructure and jobs
Looking ahead, Mr. Ayoo said his vision was to see Bolgatanga develop into a stronger economic and administrative centre befitting its status as the regional capital
He said infrastructure, roads, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and skills development would be critical to achieving that objective
The MCE also pointed to the potential impact of the proposed airport development and other major infrastructure interventions on businesses, transportation, housing and the wider local economy
He said the municipality must also strengthen local industries and agriculture to create employment opportunities for the growing youth population
Municipal hospital renovation and proposed new facility
On healthcare, Mr. Ayoo said the Assembly was aware of concerns over the condition of the Bolgatanga Municipal Hospital
He said while efforts were being considered to establish a new municipal hospital, the Assembly would also have to address immediate renovation needs at the existing facility
He further disclosed that discussions were ongoing involving the MP and the Bank of Ghana regarding possible support for a new municipal hospital
MCE calls for media scrutiny and positive reportage
Mr. Ayoo called for greater collaboration between the Assembly, residents and the media
He supported calls for Assembly proceedings to be carried live on radio and television, arguing that greater public access could strengthen social accountability
He also appealed to journalists to combine scrutiny with coverage of development initiatives taking place within the municipality
“We cannot defeat sanitation if we are all not involved,” he said, urging residents and the media to support public education and sanitation campaigns
The MCE stressed that the development of Bolgatanga could not be achieved by the Assembly alone
He called on traditional leaders, religious leaders, traders, farmers, market women, journalists, businesses and residents to contribute to the development of the municipality
“It takes little drops of water for a mighty ocean to be created,” Mr. Ayoo said
He maintained that the collective efforts of residents and institutions would be critical to building the Bolgatanga Municipality that its people deserve
Source – gbcuraonline.com
