𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦, 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗔 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠

The forum, a flagship accountability initiative of the Government of President John Dramani Mahama, brought together the traditional authorities, Assembly Members, heads of departments, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, religious leaders and members of the public to assess government performance and strengthen citizen participation in local governance.

Prior to the forum, the Northern Regional Minister, together with the DCE and officials of the Assembly, undertook an inspection tour of major development projects. At Wapuli Senior High School, the delegation inspected the ongoing construction of boys’ and girls’ dormitory complexes, teachers’ bungalows and the Headmaster’s residence. Hon. Ali Adolf John expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and urged the contractor to maintain quality standards and complete the projects on schedule.

The delegation also inspected the construction of a modern Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound (Poly-clinic) at Wapuli, which the Minister described as a strategic investment to improve access to quality healthcare. The team later commissioned a newly completed 3-Unit classroom block with staff common room, office library and 4-seater KVIP toilet at Borgban, where the Minister reiterated government’s commitment to expanding educational infrastructure to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The delegation subsequently proceeded to inspect the ongoing construction of the 24-Hour Economy Market in Saboba. The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and noted that the project forms part of the Government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative under President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda. He stated that, upon completion, the market will boost local commerce, create employment opportunities, enhance agricultural value chains and stimulate economic growth within the Saboba District and its surrounding communities.

The Northern Regional Minister also made a stop at Kpalba to inspect the ongoing construction of the district’s largest bridge along the Eastern Corridor, a critical infrastructure project expected to connect several communities and improve access to essential services. During the visit, Hon. Ali Adolf John recounted the difficult and life-threatening conditions residents have endured over the years whenever the river overflowed, forcing commuters to rely on engine-powered boats to cross. He noted that the construction of the bridge will significantly improve transportation, enhance safety, facilitate trade and movement, and boost socio-economic development within the district.

Addressing participants, Hon. Ali Adolf John commended the Saboba District Assembly for promoting transparency and accountability through the forum. He noted that accountability remains a key pillar of good governance and encouraged residents to actively participate in development by engaging local authorities, safeguarding public infrastructure and supporting government initiatives under the Reset Agenda.

Presenting the Assembly’s performance, the District Chief Executive, Hon. George Wumbei Bilimor, described the forum as a practical demonstration of President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to accountable governance. He said the initiative provides citizens with the opportunity to assess government performance while contributing ideas to improve development planning and service delivery.

The DCE recalled that the current administration assumed office at a time when the country faced significant economic challenges, including rising unemployment, high cost of living, inadequate resources for local development and declining public confidence. He noted that the Reset Agenda has since restored hope by accelerating development interventions across the Saboba District.

Highlighting achievements in economic development, Hon. Bilimor announced progress towards the establishment of the Saboba 24-Hour Economy Market to stimulate commerce and create employment. He also disclosed that twelve beneficiaries under the National Apprenticeship Programme received tailoring and hairdressing equipment, while 1,000 bags of NPK fertiliser were distributed to 520 farmers under the Feed Ghana Programme. Additionally, fifty girls have been enrolled onto the Livelihood Empowerment and Productive Inclusion Programme (LEPIP), and a 15-acre Farmer Service Centre has been sited at Garimata to strengthen agricultural services.

The DCE further revealed that development partners have established crop technology demonstration farms and community vegetable gardens with mechanised boreholes at Sanguli and Bakundiba to promote climate-smart agriculture, improve food production and strengthen livelihoods across farming communities.

On education, Hon. Bilimor disclosed that the Assembly supplied 400 dual desks, 50 teachers’ tables and 50 chairs to schools, while classroom blocks with offices, libraries, staff common rooms and sanitation facilities are under construction at Nakpamboni and Borgban. He added that sixty-six schools with a total enrolment of 18,516 pupils are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme.

Touching on healthcare and social protection, the DCE outlined the construction of several CHPS compounds with staff accommodation at Zogbeli, Gbangbanpong, Lifur, Garimata and Wadig, the completion of the Kuntuli CHPS Compound, renovation of the Cambridge CHPS Compound and the ongoing construction of a polyclinic at Wapuli. He further disclosed that 5,666 beneficiaries are receiving support under the LEAP Programme, while 650 Persons with Disabilities have benefited from the District Assembly Common Fund.

Hon. Bilimor also highlighted government’s success in creating employment through the Youth Employment Agency and other interventions, including Community Protection Assistants, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, National Apprenticeship Programme, BETA Garment Programme, Adwuma Wura, NADMO and several public institutions, providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for many young people in the district.

On infrastructure and environmental development, the DCE outlined the construction of teachers’ bungalows, dormitories and classroom blocks, the drilling of mechanised and hand pump boreholes, institutional toilet facilities, steel bridges, solar-powered streetlights and ongoing road projects linking Wapuli, Yendi, Saboba and Chereponi. He added that sanitation exercises, fumigation of public toilets and dislodgement of institutional latrines are being intensified to improve public health.

To strengthen service delivery, the Assembly has also undertaken regular community engagement programmes while donating twenty-seven motorbikes to health personnel serving various CHPS compounds and procuring three additional motorbikes for the Environmental Health Unit to improve healthcare outreach and environmental sanitation services.

The engagement reaffirmed government’s commitment to participatory governance, transparency and accountability while strengthening the partnership between the Assembly and the people in driving sustainable development across the Saboba District.