The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi and a member of Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Rural Development has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to step up their performance, stressing that there is a ‘new sheriff in town’ who expects them to deliver results.
Speaking during the Committee’s public hearing with the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Assembly on Thursday, the South Dayi legislator charged the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dominic Gyesi, to intensify his community outreach and ensure that government programmes reach the grassroots.
“You, the MCE, are the president’s legs and eyes. There’s a new sheriff in town, a new president in town. Make sure you work effectively so that the government can reach and be closer to the people,” he told the MCE.
The MP questioned Mr. Gyesi on whether he had engaged all 104 communities in the municipality since assuming office in April. In response, the MCE stated that he had initiated the process but had not yet completed it.
“Yes, I have started community engagements, though I have not covered all the communities. On September 9, after six months in office, I held a midterm press briefing to update the people, and I have plans to continue visiting other communities, Mr. Gyesi explained.
The legislator also encouraged him to maximise the use of local FM stations to communicate government programmes.
“As an MCE, I want to encourage you to use the FM station to communicate your programmes, your activities, government policies and interventions. Don’t just go there to talk. Educate yourself and speak purposefully to the issues,” he advised.
He further directed the MCE to hold regular stakeholder meetings every four weeks with traditional leaders, farmer groups, teachers, market women and the youth. He also emphasised the need to revamp feeder roads in cocoa-growing areas and conduct an audit of local health facilities.
“This is September. From April till now, you should have audited your health facilities. Even basic things like BP apparatus are lacking. These are health centres closest to the people—farmers whose health needs must be checked regularly,” he said.
Mr. Gyesi assured the Committee that plans were underway to address these concerns.
He said, “It is in process. Before today’s hearing, I had already scheduled further community engagements and assessments of health facilities to identify urgent needs.”
The South Dayi MP concluded with a stern reminder: “Make sure you work effectively. The people are watching, and we are also watching.”
