Tamale: Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, has outlined achievements and ongoing government interventions within the Tamale Metropolis under the government's 'Accounting to the People' initiative. Alhaji Takoro highlighted accomplishments in key sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, sanitation, youth employment, and local economic development at the inaugural stakeholder engagement and town hall meeting in Tamale.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, supervised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC), was part of an effort to replicate President John Dramani Mahama's 'Resetting Agenda' stakeholder engagement initiative across Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country. It brought together traditional authorities, assembly members, heads of department, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and members of the public.
Alhaji Takoro addressed security issues, noting that the Assembly inherited challenges such as drug abuse, petty theft, and community tensions. However, collaboration between the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), traditional authorities, religious leaders, and security agencies has restored relative calm.
He mentioned that the Assembly projected an Internally-Generated Fund target of GHS5,792,514.00 for the 2026 fiscal year but had generated GHS1,361,145.84 by the end of the first quarter, representing 23 percent of the annual target. He expressed concern over low property rate collection and announced plans to designate all 41 electoral areas as revenue collection zones on a commission basis to improve mobilization. Public sensitization exercises on property rates, motorbike rates, and other levies are set to begin ahead of the implementation of new revenue measures on June 01, 2026.
The Assembly received more than GHS6.2 million from the District Assemblies Common Fund for the fourth quarter of 2025, in addition to allocations for Persons with Disabilities, HIV/AIDS interventions, and MPs' Common Fund allocations. Alhaji Takoro lamented delays in the release of over GHS8.2 million expected under the District Assemblies Common Fund Responsive Factor Grant (DACF-RFG) despite the Assembly's strong performance in the 2024 District Performance Assessment Tool evaluation.
He reported that the Assembly had constructed and furnished classroom blocks and kindergarten facilities at Dalogyili, Gumbihini, and Lamashehu using DACF funding. Over 1,170 dual desks, 1,450 mono desks, and several chairs and tables have been supplied to schools across the metropolis to improve teaching and learning conditions.
Alhaji Takoro acknowledged the strategic role of the Tamale Teaching Hospital as the major referral facility and disclosed that the government had initiated reforms to improve healthcare delivery following a recent ministerial visit. He announced the completion of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds at Kudula and Dohinayili to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities.
In agriculture, government interventions under the Feed Ghana Programme and the Input and Mechanisation Support Programme have benefitted thousands of farmers. More than 8,300 bags of fertilizer have been distributed to farmers, with an additional 1,000 bags secured through collaboration with the Global Agricultural and Food Security Programme, distributed to over 1,000 farmers from 27 communities. The Assembly also supported livestock and poultry production through the distribution of 12,400 guinea fowl chicks and 755 improved cockerels to farmers, including persons with disabilities.
For local economic development, contracts have been awarded for the construction of 128 lockable stores at Aboabo and Lamashegu under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. Alhaji Takoro also highlighted the commencement of the 24-Hour Economy Market Project at Kukuo, inaugurated by President Mahama on April 18, 2026.
Regarding youth employment, 1,338 young people have benefitted from various Youth Employment Agency modules, while more than 1,600 women and unemployed youth received entrepreneurship and skills training under the Ghana Enterprise Agency and Mastercard Foundation programmes. Beneficiaries were trained in vocational and business development skills, with some receiving startup kits and financial support to establish businesses.
The Assembly has embraced the National Sanitation Day initiative, procuring two tricycles and engaging 84 street sweepers to maintain cleanliness within the central business district. Four community dams at Fooshegu, Kpanvo, Koutingli, and Dungu have been dredged to improve water retention and environmental management.
Alhaji Takoro highlighted Tamale's participation in the European Union-funded Sustainable Cities Project, implemented jointly with the Sagnarigu Municipality to improve urban planning, climate resilience, waste management, and infrastructure coordination. Tamale has also joined the Ghana Smart SDGs Cities Programme, supported by UN-Habitat and the Government of Norway, to strengthen evidence-based planning and institutional digitalization.
The metropolis has benefitted significantly from the government's 'Big Push' infrastructure agenda, with ongoing rehabilitation works on two major ring roads linking the Industrial Area, Sagnarigu, King David, Taha, and Yendi Barrier corridors. The 34-kilometer Target inner roads project is underway, with additional road projects ongoing at Dabokpa, Gulkpeg-Tua, Gumbihini, and Jakarayili.
The Assembly disbursed GHS231,800 in 2025 to support Persons with Disabilities in education, healthcare, petty trading, farming, and vocational skills training. Mr. Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, described the engagement as an important step towards strengthening accountability and inclusive governance. He commended the TMA for organizing the engagement and reiterated the NRCC's commitment to supporting MMDAs in implementing government programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and accelerating socio-economic development.