FIRST QUARTER DPCU MEETING

A District Planning Coordinating Unit Meeting was held on March 30, 2022 to review the annual action plans of various departments and guidelines, receive feedback on the 2022-2025 District Medium Term Development Plan, and hear presentations by departments/units on their action plans. The District Development Planning Officer informed the house that the National Development Planning Commission had reviewed the plans and guidelines, and some omissions and gaps were identified that will be addressed for certification. The District Director of Health Services discussed issues related to COVID-19 and teenage pregnancy, and other department heads discussed various activities being undertaken in their departments, such as agricultural policies and revenue generation. The District Works Department reported no major projects were being undertaken, but requested a vehicle for efficient running of activities. The meeting was deemed successful.

SECOND QUARTER 2022 DPCU MEETING

A District Planning Coordinating Unit Meeting was held on June 23, 2022 to discuss matters arising from the previous meeting. The District Coordinating Director reported that the District Chief Executive had tried to contact the contractor for the stalled Sege-Mepe highway project, but was unsuccessful and had reached out to the North Tongu Member of Parliament for help. The chairman expressed frustration with the lack of collaboration between the Central Government and the District Assembly. The District Director of Health Services was not present, but updates were provided on the COVID-19 situation in the district, including 33 active cases and a 75% vaccination rate, falling short of the projected 75% target. The District Statistical Officer suggested that the staff of the District Assembly be given booster jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Physical Planning Officer reported on the progress of development of Local Plans for the district, and stressed the importance of involving landowners and other stakeholders for the project to be effectively undertaken and to ensure effective land administration within the district. The chairman also raised concerns about indiscriminate and unauthorized siting of physical structures in the district and the lack of enforcement by relevant departments, and emphasized the importance of revenue generation through collection of property rates.