Accra: The Shama District Assembly in the Western Region has acquired a nine-acre parcel of land near Atwereboanda to establish its own landfill site, marking an end to its dependency on the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) for waste disposal services. This strategic move is anticipated to save the Assembly approximately GHS80,000 monthly in sanitation costs that were previously incurred under a waste management agreement with the STMA.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Paul Otis Dentu, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama, announced the acquisition during a town hall meeting in Dwomo. During the meeting, he presented the Assembly's development account and ongoing projects to the residents. Mr. Dentu emphasized that the new landfill site would not only alleviate financial strains on the Assembly but also allow for direct management of waste operations within the district.
In addressing healthcare improvements, Mr. Dentu highlighted the construction of a new Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound, complete with nurses' quarters, at Dwomo. Additionally, the Assembly has drilled mechanised boreholes in various communities, including Daboase Junction, Supomu Dunkwa, Esiaman, Ohiamadwen, and Aboso, to enhance access to clean water.
The DCE also revealed that the Assembly had procured two pick-up vehicles to bolster its administrative and operational capabilities. In terms of road infrastructure, Mr. Dentu noted that several feeder roads within the district had been tarred to improve transportation and accessibility. The Assembly is utilizing equipment from the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) for periodic reshaping and grading of roads, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and agricultural produce.
The town hall meeting was part of the Assembly's efforts to increase accountability, foster transparency, and garner direct feedback from residents regarding their development priorities. Nana Kobena Ntahiaka II, Chief of Aboadze, praised the Assembly for its ongoing development projects across the district but urged for a more inclusive approach to governance and development planning. He stressed the importance of involving chiefs, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders in the development process.