Effia-Kwesimintsim Assembly targets poverty reduction through sustainable development push

The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly is doubling down on its commitment to sustainable development, with Municipal Chief Executive Abdul-Majeed Dokurgu pledging renewed efforts to eliminate poverty and improve living standards across all communities in the municipality.

Speaking at the Second Ordinary Meeting of the First Session of the Assembly in Effia, Mr Dokurgu highlighted significant progress made in key development areas despite mounting challenges. The Assembly has prioritised improvements to healthcare access, road infrastructure expansion, and agricultural support programmes that are directly touching the lives of residents.

Agriculture and Food Security Drive

One of the Assembly's flagship initiatives centres on agricultural transformation and food security. The municipality has promoted urban agriculture using innovative technologies, with 192 farmers—comprising 131 males and 61 females—receiving training on modern farming techniques. Training covered improved agricultural practices, pest and disease management, and climate-smart methods designed to boost productivity whilst ensuring long-term sustainability.

This focus on agriculture reflects broader efforts to support livelihoods in the municipality whilst creating employment opportunities. The Assembly recognises that strengthening the agricultural sector is crucial for both household food security and generating income for rural communities.

Financial Performance and Social Support

Financially, the Assembly generated GHC16,168,413.52 in budgeted revenue, representing 11.6 per cent of its expected GHC139,285,306.28 budget for 2026. Internally Generated Funds (IGF) collection reached GHC2,614,454.73, achieving 36.12 per cent of the projected GHC7,190,170.68.

The Assembly is also prioritising vulnerable groups. During the review period, 46 Persons with Disabilities received grants and items worth GHC244,600.00, demonstrating commitment to inclusive development. Security remains stable, with agencies responding effectively to incidents and maintaining law and order across the municipality.

Why This Matters for Ghana

Local Assembly performance directly affects how Ghana's decentralisation agenda functions on the ground. Effia-Kwesimintsim's emphasis on sustainable development, agricultural productivity, and inclusive social policies mirrors priorities outlined in Ghana's national development frameworks. The municipality's approach to combining poverty reduction with environmental responsibility—through regular sanitation drives and climate-smart farming—reflects how district-level governments are implementing broader national sustainability commitments.

Additionally, the Assembly's focus on youth employment and economic development is significant given Ghana's ongoing challenge of youth unemployment. By creating opportunities through local economic development initiatives, the municipality contributes to reducing rural-urban migration pressures and building resilient local economies.

The financial data also offers insights into IGF collection challenges—the Assembly achieved only 36 per cent of projected internally generated funds. This reflects a common struggle across Ghana's metropolitan and municipal assemblies in boosting local revenue, which remains critical for reducing dependency on central government transfers and enabling autonomous development planning.

• 192 farmers trained on modern and climate-smart agricultural techniques
• 46 persons with disabilities received grants and support worth GHC244,600
• Assembly targeting poverty elimination through sustainable development programmes