Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly is best
The Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region has been adjudged the Overall Best Assembly in the country after its outstanding performance in a performance appraisal conducted by the Local Government Services in 2015.
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Asokore Mampong, one of the new assemblies, scored the highest marks and indeed was the only one to exceed its targets out of the 216 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAS) in the country in a performance contract signed in 2014 by the Local Government Services.
For its reward, the assembly was presented with two return tickets to South Africa, three desktop computers, a plaque and a citation.
An initiative by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Nurudeen Hamidan, the assembly, was the main wheel which propelled the assembly into its infrastructural development did the trick to win the award.
The assembly, established four years ago, has indeed made giant strides since its inception breaking barriers in infrastructural development and improving the lives of the people.
Lives have been transformed and the youth have been given hope through various interventions while women have been empowered to take over the commanding heights of commerce in the Ashanti Region with the completion of the modern Asawase Market and the Yam Market at Kontomponi Afere.
Security
Until recently, the area which is the location for the ‘Affordable Housing’ project started under the era of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, was a notorious spot for all kindS of crime, especially armed robbery in Kumasi.
However, with the support of the Regional Police Commander COP, Mr Nathan Kofi Boakye, the miscreants have been weeded off and sanity restored to the area.
The once-dreaded place where areas such as Aboabo Number One, Aboabo Number Two and Akorem are located; where residents were forced to go to bed by 8 p.m. is now free of all crimet as people can now go about their legitimate businesses with ease.
The President of the Council of Zongo Chiefs presenting an award to the Asokore Mamponghene
Vigilante groups
It is worth mentioning that the formation of vigilante groups to complement the effort of the Asokore Mampong Police Task Force deserves a mention in the fight against crime.
Among the initiatives put in place to beef up security include the putting up of police stations at strategic locations in the municipality such as Asawase and Boban, while at the moment, construction is going on at Paakoso to protect lives and properties.
Courts
To help in the prosecution of cases in the municipality, a new court was inaugurated at Asokore Mampong in 2014 to reduce the cost of having to transport people to Kumasi and other nearby districts.
The proximity to the court has helped in fast-tracking adjudication and restoring peace in the area.
Transportation
The provision of means of transportation, including three motorbikes for Asawase, six for Boban and Paakoso has facilitated the work of the police officers in the area and is helping to speedily track miscreants.
Also one of two pickups bought by the assembly is expected to be released to enhance police patrols in the various localities in the municipality.
Education
Within the four years of the creation of the municipality, a total of 25 new educational institutions have been constructed at Sepe Timpom, Paakoso, Asokore Mampong, Asawase, Boban, Adukrom, Akorem, Sawaba, Aboabo Number One and Number Two as new Zongos.
All these projects were funded through the assembly’s district development fund, common fund and GetFund.
The infrastructure development has not only brought increase in enrolment in schools but improved access which would in the long run enhance the development of education in the area which in the past had congested classrooms due to lack of space.
Durbar
To show appreciation to the various stakeholders through whose effort the assembly won the award, it has organised an awards day to honour deserving stakeholders in the municipality.
Some of the personalities who were honoured are the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah II, Member of Parliament for Asawase, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the MCE, Nurudeen Hamidan, all assembly members and some heads of departments.
They were presented with citations, parcels, certificates and7 portraits after which they enjoyed a buffet dinner.
The Asokore Mamponghene speaking at the Awards Day at Asokore Mampong
Commendation
The General Manager of Lime Light Investment Ltd, a Real Estate Company, Mr Mohammed Amin, eulogised the staff and management of the assembly for their dedication and hard work which, had fetched them the grand prize.
He urged them not to be complacent with the honour done them and rather work very hard to improve the standard of living of the people of the area and the nation as a whole.
He pledged the company’s support to the municipality towards its development and called on all stakeholders to put their shoulders on the wheel towards national development.
The Member of Parliament for Asawase, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, called on the people of Asawase to reciprocate the development in the area by voting massively for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), so it could continue to develop the area.
He lamented the springing up of unauthorised structures in the municipality which was affecting security.
The MP commended the Asokore Mamponghene, Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah II, for the large acreage of land he had given to the municipality for infrastructural development as well as other support which had all brought honour to the people and the nation as a whole.
Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah II, who chaired the function, attributed the gains made in the area to the restoration of peace in the municipality and commended the security services for their hard work which brought sanity and peace to the people.
He urged residents of the area to unite and work hard to promote the development of the new businesses and institutions in the area.
The MCE, Nurudeen Hamidan, attributed the gains made to the discipline and hard work of the staff of the assembly and reminded them of the need to maintain the gains made by working extra hard to promote growth in the various facets of life.
He also lauded, Alhaji Muntaka for the unflinching support he had been giving to the assembly at all times.
The MCE assured the people of the assembly’s support and readiness to continue with initiatives that stood the chance of improving the standard of living of the people.