The Ga West Municipal Assembly has held a stakeholder engagement for representatives from Achiaman, Ayikan Doblo, Manhean, Nsakina, Okushiebiade, Onyansana, and Kwashiekuman electoral areas as part of the processes to prepare its 2026-2029 Medium-Term Development Plan for the Municipality on Monday,28^th April 2025 at Ayikai Doblo Pentecost Church. This was part of the phase one of the plan preparation (situational analysis).  

The meeting is in line with the National Development Planning System Act, 1994 (Act 480) which requires District Assemblies to prepare Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) every 4 years through inclusive stake holder consultations, and the Local Government Act (936) which reinforces the obligation of Assemblies to integrate community perspectives into local development plans and establish effective platforms for public participation.

In a detailed presentation by the Municipal Planning Officer, Mrs. Cynthia Bonsah, she explained that a medium-term development plan is prepared every 4 years by all MMDAs in Ghana which originates from the local level. Hence, the need to actively involve the stakeholders from the various communities within the Ga West Municipal Assembly. She gave an overview of the just about ending plan (2022-2025 MTDP) for the stakeholders to appreciate its outcomes, which also forms the basis for the preparation of the 2026-2029 MTDP. She explained the structure of a Medium-Term Development Plan, which starts with a situational analysis followed by prioritization of development issues of MDA/RCC/MMDA, then formulation of goals, objectives and strategies, formulation of development programs, identification of implementable activities, planning for monitoring and evaluation, and planning for communication.

According to her, the need for residents’ participation includes ownership, acceptability and transparency. She updated the groups on the developmental projects undertaken by the Assembly over the last 4 years in areas of agriculture, roads, education, health, water and sanitation, security, as well as social intervention programmes. She further educated participants on the meaning of a problem, the difference between a problem and a challenge, public service, among others.

Participants were divided into 7 groups based on their electoral areas which are Achiaman, Manhean, Nsakina, Okusiebiade, Ayikan Doblo, Onyansana,and Kwashiekuman to list their developmental problems and rank them in order of priority. This was successfully done under the supervision of a team of heads of departments from the Assembly lead by the Municipal Development Planning Officer.

Present at the forum were the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Isaac Kwakye, all Assembly members of the 7 electoral area, Heads of Departments of the Assembly, Unit Committee Members, Opinion leaders, women leaders, Landlords and Residents Associations, Faith Based organizations, Transport Associations, Youth Groups, Market Women and Artisans.

Rachel Sarpong, ISD