Sogakope: The South Tongu District Assembly has conducted a public hearing on its Draft Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2026-2029 at the District Assembly Hall in Sogakope. The event is a statutory requirement under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), Section 86, which mandates district assemblies to engage stakeholders in reviewing draft development plans before adoption by the General Assembly.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Mohammed Abu Shiraz, the District Planning Officer, stated that the hearing followed the completion of the draft plan, which outlines key developmental priorities for the next four years. He emphasized the importance of holding a public hearing to enable stakeholders to review, critique, and help refine the plan before its adoption and submission for certification. The draft plan covers four major thematic areas: economic development, social services, infrastructure and human settlement, and governance and accountability.
Mr. Shiraz explained that the economic component of the plan focuses on agriculture, private sector growth, and tourism development. The social sector includes education, health, water and sanitation, gender issues, and support for persons with disabilities. Mr. Henry Adjei, the District Statistician, highlighted that the public hearing provides a platform for all stakeholders to scrutinize the draft plan and ensure it aligns with the district's development priorities. He noted that the exercise builds on the performance of the 2022-2025 plan and includes the current demographic and socio-economic data of the district.
Mr. Adjei mentioned that the district's projected population for 2025 is 118,825, with females forming over 50 percent. He noted that while the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) performance in the district had improved, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results continued to decline due to limited parental supervision at the basic level. The new plan aims to address these challenges through targeted interventions in education, health, and sanitation.
He reiterated that after the stakeholders' review, the plan would be presented to the General Assembly for approval, paving the way for implementation. The strategies in the plan, such as improving teaching and learning facilities, strengthening health services, and enhancing sanitation infrastructure, are expected to lead to measurable improvements in development outcomes across the district.
Participants at the forum lauded the Assembly for the public engagement, describing it as a commendable platform that promotes transparency and inclusiveness in local governance. They expressed optimism that the concerns, ideas, and recommendations raised during the hearing would be incorporated into the final plan and translated into concrete actions for the accelerated development of the South Tongu District.
Key stakeholders present included assembly members, representatives from the traditional council, civil society organizations, donor agencies, the media, youth and women groups, security agencies, farmer-based organizations, and unit committee members.
