Upper Manya Krobo assembly increases revenue

The Upper Manya Krobo District Assembly in the Eastern Region recorded a significant increase in its internally generated revenue by collecting GH¢222,772 out of the projected GH¢314,910 in July and September, this year.

Within the same period last year, the assembly was able to mobilise GH¢162,477.87 from a projected sum of GH¢212,746.00.

Such a significant achievement, according to the District Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Tetteh Angmor, was due to prudent measures instituted.

Common Fund

Addressing a general meeting of the assembly at Asesewa, the district capital, at the weekend, Mr Angmor told members that GH¢210,903.54, being the assembly’s share of the Common Fund for the fourth quarter of 2013 had also been received.

According to him, although the assembly was yet to receive its share of the Common Fund for this year, it was judiciously utilising funds so far made available to finance various projects, some of which had already been completed, as well as other poverty alleviation programmes.

The hitherto undeveloped district, which was carved out of the vast Manya Krobo District about eight years ago, is mostly rural, and comprises many villages and hamlets.

Social amenities

However, since its creation, many communities such as Asesewa, Sekesua, Anyaboni, Akateng, Mensah Dawa and Apimsu have been provided with social amenities such as modern school buildings, markets and clinics with a lot of the feeder roads rehabilitated.

For instance, within the last two years, 19 of such projects have been completed while nine others are going on and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

A total of 359 people living below the poverty line have also been assisted through the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme (LEAP) to make a living.

Some of the social amenities provided are street lights for the Asesewa Market, 40 stalls for the same market, six kitchens for schools at Mensah Dawa, Bisa, Asesewa, Otrokpe, Akateng and Ternguanya, supply of furniture to schools, a clinic at Nyakumse, as well as some roads to link the farmlands with the Asesewa Market.

Identify needs

Although many communities have been provided with social amenities, a lot more remained to be covered; as such Mr Angmor appealed to the assembly members to identify the needs of their communities so they could be provided.

On agriculture, the DCE said since majority of the people were subsistence farmers with little capital, a programme had been initiated under which the farmers would get help and mentioned the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for assisting farmers from Nsutapong to cultivate a number of crops.

Sanitation

Mr Tetteh Angmor, whose speech dwelt on sanitation, cholera and Ebola prevention, indicated that the assembly had also been able to complete its street- naming exercise and expressed his appreciation to the assembly members for their support.

The Presiding Member, Mr Joseph Numo, said since the development of the area could only be achieved through unity, the assembly members should put away their political affiliations and unite for that purpose.

Earlier, a technical team from the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Local Government and Rural Development, led by Mr Isaac Oware Aboagye, was in the House to brief members on the development of the Asesewa Market through public and private partnership.