Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE DISTRICT Chief Executive (DCE) for South Tongu, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo, has paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Chief and traditional leadership of the Vume Traditional Area as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the South Tongu District Assembly and traditional authorities.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the DCE and her delegation to engage the chiefs on key development challenges facing the area and to hear directly from the traditional leadership about the needs of residents.
The Paramount Chief of Vume, Okokoanko Yao Akonnor II, who is also President of the Vume Traditional Council, together with his sub-chiefs and elders, welcomed the DCE and officials of the Assembly.
During the meeting, the Paramount Chief shared aspects of the history of the Vume people and their contributions to the development of the wider Tongu area.
He also presented a number of concerns requiring the attention of the Assembly. These included proper spatial planning and settlement layouts, improvement of township roads, drainage systems and the completion of an abandoned public toilet project.
The Paramount Chief appealed to the Assembly to give urgent attention to the challenges to improve living conditions and public sanitation in the area.
Responding to the concerns, Hon. Dzeklo assured the traditional council that her administration would work closely with the chiefs to address the challenges.
She outlined a number of government and Assembly programmes being implemented in the district, including the National Apprenticeship Programme, Youth Employment Agency (YEA) initiatives, releases from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The DCE also highlighted progress in education, healthcare and other public infrastructure, including GETFund classroom block projects and the construction and installation of CHPS compounds to improve access to basic services.
On the management of local resources, Hon. Dzeklo said the Assembly had undertaken reforms to improve accountability in the distribution of premix fuel and the operations of Landing Beach Committees.
She said her office, in collaboration with the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, had conducted an audit of community development projects funded from the 53 per cent margin between 2018 and 2024.
According to her, measures had also been introduced to prevent diversion of premix fuel and improve transparency in its distribution.
She further disclosed that a dedicated community banking fund had been established from landing beach sales proceeds to support development projects in beneficiary communities.
Hon. Dzeklo assured the chiefs that she would personally inspect the abandoned public toilet facility and work with the traditional authorities to improve the general outlook and development of Vume.
The meeting was attended by traditional leaders, stool representatives and Assembly officials, including Nana Ayensu Kokotako III, Gyasehene of Vume; Togbe Klo Azumah III, Sub-Divisional Chief of Vume Klokope; Togbe Zafiti Ego II, Sub-Divisional Chief of Vume Zakope; and Hon. David Amekpewu, Assembly Member for the Vume Electoral Area.
Other representatives included Mr. Julius Amekpewu, Mr. Philip J.K. Ahelege, Madam Comfort Adzo Agbanyo, Madam Atsufe Akpalu, Okyeame Frederik Akliku, Henry Kwasime Hevi, Dumega Stephen Boni and Mr. John Doku.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
