The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Ocloo, has described the theme for the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly’s Stakeholders Forum as timely and significant, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved by the Assembly alone.
Delivering her address at the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly’s Stakeholders Forum held in Accra on Tuesday, September 29, under the theme “One Municipality, Shared Responsibility, Mobilizing Stakeholders for Inclusive Development in Ayawaso West”, Hon. Ocloo said inclusive development demands broad collaboration.
“I believe the theme for this forum, One Municipality, Shared Responsibility, Mobilizing Stakeholders for Inclusive Development in Ayawaso West, is most timely and significant. Undoubtedly, sustainable development cannot be achieved by the Assembly alone,” she said.
“It requires the collective commitment, expertise, and resources of government, institutions, traditional authorities, the private sector, civil society organizations, development partners, and most importantly, the people of the municipality,” she added.
The Regional Minister noted that Ayawaso West holds enormous potential for accelerated development due to its strategic location within the Greater Accra metropolitan area.
“Ayawaso West has enormous potential for accelerated development. Its strategic location within the Greater Accra metropolitan area, vibrant commercial activities, concentration of educational and professional institutions, growing businesses and strong human capital provide a solid foundation upon which the municipality can build,” she stated.
“The challenge before us, therefore, is how to effectively harness these opportunities for the benefit of the people.”
Hon. Ocloo urged the Assembly to leverage its strengths by deepening public-private partnerships to attract investment in key priority areas.
“I believe the Assembly can leverage its strength by deepening public-private partnerships to attract investment in infrastructure, sanitation, waste management, local economic development, and other priority areas. The Assembly can also strengthen collaboration with businesses and institutions within the municipality to create opportunities for skills development, youth employment, internships, and entrepreneurship,” she said.
She further encouraged the Assembly to embrace digital solutions and data-driven planning for more effective development.
“I would further encourage the Assembly to embrace digital solutions and data-driven planning. A better understanding of the needs of communities, businesses, and vulnerable groups will enable the Assembly to prioritize interventions, allocate resources more effectively, and ensure that development reaches all segments of the population,” she noted.
The Regional Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to stakeholder collaboration but stressed that responsibility must be shared.
“As a government, we remain committed to strengthening collaboration amongst stakeholders to address the development needs of our communities. However, government alone cannot do it all. The responsibility for development must not rest solely on the Assembly. Businesses must contribute, communities must participate, institutions must support, and residents must take ownership of the development of their municipality.”
She called on participants to engage openly and focus on practical solutions.
“I therefore wish to use this opportunity to encourage all stakeholders gathered here to engage openly and constructively and identify practical and sustainable solutions to the municipality’s development challenges, particularly in the areas of sanitation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, youth development and job creation.”
“Let us transform the idea of shared responsibility from a theme into a practical development strategy. One in which every stakeholder identifies what they can contribute and commits to measurable actions,” she charged.
Hon. Ocloo said the success of the forum should be measured not just by discussions but by partnerships and concrete actions.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the success of this forum should not be measured by the quality of the discussions alone, but by partnerships forged, commitments made and actions taken. I am therefore hopeful that deliberations will end up in a clear and practical roadmap for collaborative interventions that will improve the quality of life of the people of Ayawaso West.”
She commended the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly for convening the forum and creating a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and shape the municipality’s future.
“Together, let us embrace the spirit of shared responsibility and work towards building an inclusive, resilient, prosperous and sustainable Ayawaso West,” she concluded.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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