On Thursday, 22nd December 2022, the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) chaired by my very good self held an end-of-year performance review with the press.
Below is the full statement:
The RCC in undertaking its mandate in line with Section 188 (1) and (2) of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936) stipulates that the Regional Coordinating Council shall:
Monitor, coordinate and evaluate the performance of the District Assemblies in the Region
Monitor the use of monies mobilized or allocated to the District Assemblies
Review and coordinate public services generally in the region
Approve the by-laws of District Assemblies
Provide technical backstopping support to MMDAs for the performance of any function assigned
The resolution of any conflict between District Assemblies and other agencies
Oversight responsibility for second-cycle educational institutions
And perform any other functions assigned to it by or under an enactment.
In pursuance of these functions and to implement the vision of H.E. the President to make Greater Accra the cleanest city in Africa, the Regional Coordinating Council formulated the “Let’s Make Greater Accra Work” agenda as a coordinating platform to rally all MMDAs to perform their functions collaboratively.
The components of the agenda as you are all aware are:
Sanitation and waste management
Education
Health
Security
War on Indiscipline
The implementation of the agenda and its related interventions have progressed steadily with results that are evident for all to see.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s briefing will highlight some of the striking achievements and successes chalked in the year under review as well as challenges.
DECONGESTION, CLEAN-UP AND RELOCATION PROJECTS
Decongestion Exercise at Madina Zongo Junction
The Madina Zongo Junction exercise is one major achievement under the Let’s Make Greater Accra Work agenda. Currently, traffic flow at the Madina Zongo Junction has improved greatly and the footbridges are in use, reducing the spate of motor traffic accidents involving pedestrians.
Relocation of Bulk Onion Sellers and other traders at Agbogbloshie to Adjen Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality
As you are all aware, some of the bulk Onion traders relocated to the Central Region, specifically the Dominase community thereby contributing to the development of the community.
This has created a vibrant commercial centre at a very strategic location which of no doubt, is creating decent employment for the people of Dominase and beyond
It has also lowered the cost of doing business for retailers who hitherto had to travel to Accra to buy an onion. Now, bulk onion is right in the central region
The traders in Dominate, I know are enjoying new cultures and languages which promote the appreciation of traditions, religious tolerance and acceptance
It is also important to state that the Internally Generated Revenue of the host Assembly, Gomoa East District Assembly will increase significantly. Meaning the availability of funds for various development interventions and employment creation
Back at Agbogbloshie, the relocation has paved the way for the effective dredging of the Korle lagoon in a more sustainable manner.
It has also improved urban and pedestrian mobility within the Agbogbloshie enclave.
It has mitigated the waste generation within the enclave which has been of unbearable effect on the ecology of the lagoon.
The relocation to the Adjen Kotoku market which has been well-engineered to accommodate the traders and their business activity has improved the economic vibrancy of their trade to other parts of Accra.
The Traders at Adjen Kotoku are enjoying a healthlifestyleyles and better social life
Traders have gained new markets which support business expansion. Some of the traders operate in both Adjen Kotoku and Dominate and therefore gain more customers and hence increase profitability
Over 80 acres of the original government acquisition at Agbogbloshie have been reclaimed
This will ensure effective, efficient and sustainable use of the urban land
Agbogbloshie Government Land
To protect the reclaimed Government Land, the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council obtained financial support from the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development for the fencing of the reclaimed land.
Currently, the Construction of a Concrete Fence Wall with five gates and Security Posts is 70% completed.
A comprehensive Land Use proposal has been prepared for the area by the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA)
Proposed Relocation of Spare Parts Dealers
Abbey Okai is primarily known as a business hub that specializes in automobile spare part dealerships. The real potential of the hub is however constricted by space, access to technology and innovation and an integrated business environment.
The Automotive Village seeks to create a mixed development space where automotive technology interacts with innovation, business, education and residence in the most coherent manner.
Adequate land has been secured within the Shai-Afienya-Dawhenya Industrial and Urban Renewal Project area for the relocation of the Spare Parts Dealers for the creation of the West African Automobile Hub. The RCC in collaboration with the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association will invite strategic investors for the development of the Automobile hub.
OPERATION CLEAN YOUR FRONTAGE (OCYF)
Passage and Enforcement of Bye-Laws
The Bye-Laws seek to drastically improve the sanitation conditions in the Urban Capital, ensure good waste management and sanitation practices, raise awareness and elevate public discussions about how to make the city clean and environmentally friendly to live in.
The “Operation Clean Your Frontage” Bye-Laws which make households, institutions and businesses responsible for the cleaning of their frontage and immediate surrounding has been passed by all MMDAs in Greater Accra and is in full force. There has been massive sensitization on the provisions of the Bye-Laws. Several offenders have been prosecuted by the various assemblies under the Bye-Laws.
Construction of Solid Waste Transfer Stations.
The construction of 3 Solid Waste Transfer Stations is currently at different levels of completion.
Ashaiman Municipal (Ashaiman)– 95%
Ga East Municipal (Abokobi)– 98%
Ablekuma North Municipal (Mallam) – 92%
City Response Team
Recruitment, Training and deployment of 898 City Response Team personnel to support MEHOs/DEHOs in the enforcement of the OCYF Bye-Laws.
Collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces
The RCC collaborated with the GAF to undertake National Assignments with security implications such as the relocation of residents at the Agbogbloshie market. Also, the collaboration led to the training of personnel of the City Response Team as part of the implementation of the Operation Clean Your Frontage campaign. The objective was to outline the process of managing and facilitating personnel who will coordinate as well as supervise the implementation of the campaign with the core values of integrity and professionalism. Under the collaboration, 60 retired Warrant Officers were deployed to undertake the exercise.
PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT LANDS
Land Encroachment and Land Guard Harassment of Staff of CSIR-Animal Research Institute (ARI)
The Government of Ghana under Executive Instrument (E.I. 38) established the CSIR-ARI on over one-thousand-acre land in 1976 at Adentan-Frafraha with a mandate to conduct research. Over the years unscrupulous persons have encroached on the land, to the extent of putting the lives of the staff at risk. CSIR-ARI, teethereforeitioned the Regional Security Council to intervene and help retrieve and protect the remaining 200 acres of land. REGSEC in collaboration with the Adentan Municipal Assembly and the CSIR embarked on an exercise to remove all unauthorized structures mushrooming within the fenced area. The exercise lasted for 2 days. The 200 acres of land have been duly secured and the staff harassment has ceased.
Restoration of the RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance – Sakumono
Another area that the RCC in collaboration with the relevant state Institutions undertook a demolition exercise is within the Sakumo Ramsar enclave.
The Government of Ghana ratified the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971) in June 1988. The Sakumo Ramsar Site was designated as such in August 1992 covering an area of 13.64 km2.
The original Core Area of the Site necessary to safeguard the ecological functions as a wetland of international importance was 10.20 km2 with an original buffer zone of 3.44 km2. The core area is not supposed to have any building structures hence its primary purpose is to create a safe area for flood waters to flow into the sea and serve as a habitat for migratory birds.
However, due to serious illegal encroachment on the Site, the Sector Minister, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) with technical advice from the Forestry Commission decided to reduce the core area from 10.20km2 to 8.31km2 and increase the buffer zone from 3.44km2 to 5.33km2. This was to remove all structures within the perimeter of 8.31 km2 which were below 7m above sea level and therefore highly vulnerable to flooding.
From 20th – 23rd, October 2022 a joint task force of the security and intelligence agencies in collaboration with the Tema West Municipal Assembly and the Lands Ministry (Forestry Commission) undertook an exercise to remove fence walls within the core zone which posed a serious threat to the effective functioning of the wetlands to create a safe area for flood waters to flow into the sea.
SECURITY
The RCC in collaboration with the MTTD of the Ghana Police Service, National Road Safety Authority and DVLA has over the period ensured strict enforcement of the Road Traffic Regulations (2012) L.I. 2180. Currently, it can be observed that motorists largely comply with road traffic regulations, including wearing helmets and stopping at traffic lights when required.
The use of sirens and strobe lights has also been reduced drastically
10,000 Street Lights procured and installed all over the region
20,000 more streetlights are being procured to enhance night visibility within the region
Peaceful Celebration of Homowo
Ensuring law and order to avoid clashes in Chieftaincy Disputes
GREENING & BEAUTIFICATION
“Light up the City”
The RCC in collaboration with Messrs Jandel Limited organises “Light up the City” every year with beautiful illumination within the city of Accra during the Christmas festive season. Some corporate institutions have adopted certain public open spaces to beautify the city in this regard.
The greening and other beautification activities are done in open spaces and medians of roads are undertaken by Messrs MullenLowe and the Department of Parks and Gardens.
CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS
The Regional Coordinating Council has successfully implemented most activities earmarked for the period under review. This however has not been without serious challenges that hindered the smooth implementation. Some of the challenges include:
Inadequate Logistics
The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) is faced with the problem of an inadequate and required blend of vehicles to carry out certain crucial activities. The RCC in the implementation of the decongestion and relocation projects required the use of heavy-duty equipment such as graders, bulldozers, tipper trucks and backhoes. But the lack of funds to hire these trucks was a major challenge. They therefore had to depend on the benevolence of Private Sector Actors such as Zoomlion Ghana Limited for support.
Financial Constraints
The financial constraint has been identified as a major challenge in the implementation of the activities for the period. The RCC has facilitated the implementation of various urban development interventions under the agenda “Let’s Make Greater Accra Work” in specific areas in the region. This has put a heavy burden on the already dwindling budgetary allocation and finances of the RCC.
Besides, the RCC is also faced with the issue of combining the right mix of human capital to be able to execute most of its activities. As a result, personnel are drawn from the Security Services, NADMO, and other relevant institutions.
Ineffective Inter-sectoral and Inter-agency Collaborations
Another bane to the successful implementation of the ‘’Let’s Make Greater Accra Work” agenda is an ineffective collaboration among some relevant sectors and agencies within the region. The RCC does not obtain the needed support in its renewed pragmatic or proactive approach from some institutions which otherwise could have joined in the execution of this daunting task in a concerted effort.
Inadequate Sanitation Courts
Most districts do not have sanitation courts and therefore have to transport offenders across jurisdictions for prosecution. To ensure effective and timely prosecution of sanitation offenders, more sanitation courts must be established to deal with sanitation offences.
CONCLUSION
I take this opportunity to thank all the good people of Greater Accra for their immense support during this period. My profound gratitude also goes to the major stakeholders listed above, as well as the management and staff of the Regional Coordinating Council. And to you the Media I wish to say a very big thank you for your partnership and corporation throughout the journey of Making Greater Accra Work.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Christmas season is here once again, therefore, let us remind ourselves of the carnage and indiscipline that are perpetrated on our roads. Permit me to use this occasion to humbly appeal to everyone to be careful when plying our roads. Let us observe all traffic regulations, be mindful of pedestrians and consider other users of our roads as one our own. We do not want accidents on our roads in this yuletide period, lest we sing dirges instead of jingle bells. Above all let us all be mindful of our country’s security, and be guided by the mantra: “See Something, Say Something”.
I wish you a merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Source:Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
