NEWLY CONFIRMED Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ayawaso North, Mohammed Haruna Awal, has identified pressing challenges facing the municipality, including limited revenue streams, sanitation issues, and rising youth drug abuse.
In a recent interview with NationalTymes.com, MCE Awal highlighted the municipality’s constrained revenue base, attributing it to its compact size of approximately 2.2 square kilometers.
He noted that primary income sources are limited to property rates, market tolls from Maamobi and Kotobabi markets, and building permits. The assembly is exploring options such as implementing street tolls to bolster its Internally Generated Funds (IGF).
“Our revenue avenues are few, and we are considering innovative measures to increase our IGF to ensure effective governance and service delivery,” Awal stated.
The MCE also expressed concern over the assembly’s financial obligations, revealing that staff salaries have been in arrears for three months. He emphasized the urgency of mobilizing funds to settle these debts and maintain staff morale.
Sanitation is another critical focus area for the MCE. He aims to transform Ayawaso North into one of the cleanest municipalities in the Greater Accra Region.
Hon. Haruna Awal believes that improved sanitation will lead to better public health outcomes and reduce the incidence of diseases such as cholera.
Addressing social issues, MCE Awal raised alarms about the increasing number of youth engaging in substance abuse, including the use of tramadol, red, red and other narcotics.
He plans to initiate sensitization programmes to educate the youth on the dangers of drug abuse and introduce them to vocational training opportunities outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.
“We must take proactive steps to steer our youth away from destructive behaviours and provide them with viable alternatives for personal and professional development,” he asserted.
Regarding infrastructure, the assembly currently operates from a rented facility. However, construction of a new office complex near Kotobabi General Hospital is underway and is approximately 65% complete.
The MCE is optimistic that the project will be finalized by the end of 2025, providing a permanent administrative hub for the municipality.
MCE Mohammed Haruna Awal’s comprehensive approach to tackling Ayawaso North’s challenges reflects his commitment to fostering a resilient and progressive municipality.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
