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By Francis Kwabena Cofie Accra, Nov. 9, GNA – Mr Ibrahim Faila Fussein, the Municipal Chief Executive for La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, has urged residents to remain united and support to achieve the development aspirations of the municipality. He said this was needed to help build the foundation of progress for the area. Mr. Fussein gave the advice at the maiden community engagement held at the Queen and Peace Catholic Church at Madina in Accra. It was attended by opinion leaders, assembly members, traditional leaders, the clergy, civil society groups, religious groups, among others. The rationale of community engagement was to seek a common consensus on how to achieve the development of aspirations of the municipality. It was also to assess the five months of stewardship of the present local administration and solicit input from participants on the strategy for future progress. The Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936) specifically sections 40, 41 and 42 mandates that all district assemblies hold community engagements. The MCE outlined key strides made by the assembly in areas such as sanitation and environmental health, revenue mobilization, education, and health among others. Touching on the 24-hour economy, he announced that efforts were underway towards the local implementation of the flagship economic policy of the government in the municipality. To this end, he hinted that Zongo Junction would be transformed into a vibrant, safe, and well-regulated commercial hub operating productively around the clock, with coordinated services, lighting, and policing. He said expected outcomes would include extended economic activity and job opportunities within a safer, cleaner, better–lit trading environment. Mr Fussein indicated that there would be a stronger link between LANMMA and the national 24-hour economy agenda and increased confidence for investors and youth entrepreneurship. “We are now at the consideration stage and very soon, we will hold a stakeholders’ engagement to design a local implementation,” he stated. He described baseless and malicious allegations making the rounds within certain quarters that he was involved in the sale of public lands. “By law as in section 236 of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), the Municipal Assembly has a responsibility to protect state land within its jurisdiction against encroachment and unauthorized occupation,” he said. Mr Fussein said La Nkwantanang Madina would continue to remain peaceful, adding that “we would not allow reckless talk to divide our front or create fear among the people. “ “I will continue to serve with humility, honesty and courage while prioritizing accountability because it is at the heart of leadership,” emphasized. Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, the Member of Parliament for the area, commended the MCE and the assembly for organizing the event, describing it as a viable medium of accountability and bringing direct information to the people. He said information and development were at the center of politics and that such forums help bring accurate information to the people, which was critical to making informed judgements and decisions by the people. Mr Sosu questioned the logic of using nine months to repair what somebody has destroyed in the long stretch of eight years, saying “It is important to bring the right information to the doorstep of the people to make their own judgements.” He mentioned his social and human development programmes including education and health, which have been implemented in the last nine months, and that he has been dedicated to this cause since the inception of the present administration. He said as part of his social intervention policies, about 7,000 people were impacted in the last four years at the job centre, a creation by his outfit. He indicated that, this year, the outfit began the Madina Chamber of Commerce, a scheme by which about 100 businesses in the municipality would be identified and formalized to potentially receive international business connections and opportunities to boost their operation and profitability. Mr Sosu said he continued with his free legal support scheme and urged residents to avail themselves at legal offices on Thursdays to receive free legal aid support on matters they were just contesting, including all legal cases. Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
