The Greater Accra Region Minister, Henry Quartey has engaged a cross section of parliamentarians and politicians to discuss and deliberate on issues militating against the transformation of Accra into a world class city.
The encounter with the parliamentarians comprises MPs from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to seek their opinions to roll out ideas and initiatives christened “Lets Accra work”.
Notably among the MPs and politicians were Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP for Ablekuma West, NiiLanteVanderpuye, MP for Odododiodoo, Sam George, MP for NingoPrampram, and Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Ade Coker.
The others are Member of the Council of State, E.T. Mensah, Former Major of Accra, Mr. Stanley AdjiriBlankson, Ms Zenator Rawlings, MP for KlotteyKlottey, Rita Odoley Sowah, MP for Ladadekotopon, Ms Lydia SeyramAlhassan, MP for AyawasoWest Wuogon,DivineOtooAgorhom,Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, among others.
Mr Quartey who is the MP for Ayawaso Central, however called for a blue printing to devoid of political links as well as a road map designed as part of the measures and strategies in lifting the city to a new era of economic growth and development and urged Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) of the Assemblies in the region to join hands and also make inputs into the working plan.
According to him, to make Accra restore its past sanity as a cosmopolitan city, it needs the collective effort of politicians and players in affiliated agencies to come on board to push a common agenda on a working document to transforming the city of Accra.
Issues of concern from the politicians were on floods, plastic and organic waste, land litigation and boundary disputes, insecurity and crime rate, traffic congestion, reckless driving, road fatalities, squatters, selling on pavements, building on water ways, landdisputes, acquisition of lands, among others.
“I have a mantra to make Accra work thus I urged all stakeholders to rally behind the concepts and policiesindicating furtherthat the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) will soon roll out an initiative dubbed “Operation Clean your frontage” and will be carried out in the last week of the month as part of the effort to tackle filth in our own homes and immediate environs.
“The RCC will resource all stakeholders to effectively collaborate with my outfit to work to the fullest and again called on all to come on board to help the city authorities to discharge their duties and live up to the task,” he said.
For his part, the Greater Accra Region Chairman of the NPP, Divine Otoo Agorhom called for a collective effort from both sides of the political divide to make the initiative work and sustained as such.
“Let’s put our ideas together by engaging in regular meetings,” he said saying Accra is expanding at a faster rate and must correspond with enhanced social amenities.
Member of the Council of State, E.T. Mensah disclosed that Accra has a comprehensive working plan and urged city planners in their respective jurisdiction to partner the RCC for a successful implementation of policies to make Accra work.
Ben Laryea reporting from Accra, Ghana
