“We as an assembly is committed to good governance principles that are responsive to the needs of the people we serve, and that is why citizen participation has become cardinal for achieving development gains, strengthening local accountability and empowered citizens,” he added.

Mr Sam said this during a town hall meeting to brief communities within the STMA of progress made within the first quarter of the year and areas that needed further attention in meeting the socio-economic delivery of the metropolis.

The meeting was spearheaded by the Friends of the Nation (FON) with financial support from OXFAM and NORAD under the Promoting Transparent and Accountable Governance Project of the FON.

The MCE told the participants that the Assembly under its medium term development plan executed projects including, support for education and construction of school facilities, garages and skills training centres.

“It is worth mentioning that some special projects including the inspection and design works for the construction of an interchange at Edzii and dualization of adjourning roads, the new Takoradi roundabout among others have commenced". Mr Sam said plans were far advanced for the development of STMA markets and other satellite markets, adding, that the second hand cloth dealers would be permanently moved to the Apremdo market.

He also said the construction of a bulk haulage transport terminal at Sofokrom was about 90 per cent complete. On sanitation, he noted that the Waste Management Department had commenced the desilting of major drains to ensure free flow of water as the rains set in, to prevent flooding.

The Assembly, he announced, was working hard to end open defecation and urged the public to cooperate to avoid prosecution. Mr Sam said though the development gap in the metropolis seemed wide, with commitment and support from all stakeholders, the fortunes of the Assembly could be turned around.

Mr Solomon Ampofo, Project Coordinator of the Friends of the Nation, said all over the world, citizens drive development through effective participation. "And this is why we at Friends of the Nation together with our partners are keen to see more and more participation by citizens in the local governance process in order to achieve the best of development".

Mr Ampofo therefore entreated the citizenry to keep an eye on the Assembly and follow up promptly to enquire about the state of affairs to ensure that the best of services were provided by duty bearers.