Mr. Wisdom Seade, an aspirant for the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Keta, has emphasised the importance of regular stakeholder engagement and public education in ensuring that citizens understand government policies and projects.
According to him, engaging with the people and educating them about ongoing and future projects will enable them to actively participate in the development of their communities.
Mr Seade made these remarks after his vetting on Tuesday, January 28, in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.
He highlighted key government projects in the municipality, including the construction of the School of Pharmacy, the Keta Sea Defense Project, the proposed harbor, and ongoing road development.
"These are major projects that the government has captured in its manifesto. As an MCE, it will be my responsibility to organize community meetings and forums to explain these initiatives to the people," he said.
He stressed that creating awareness about government programs would encourage collaboration and ensure effective execution.
"You need to help the people understand government policies, projects, and programs. When they are well informed, they can collaborate effectively to ensure the successful execution of these projects," he explained.
"My role will be to conduct stakeholder engagements, carry out public education at all levels, and ensure that people understand the benefits of these projects. More importantly, they must also know their roles in supporting the projects for them to succeed."
Mr Seade also outlined his vision for improving agriculture in the Keta Municipality, with a focus on vegetable farming, sustainable fishing practices, and the conservation of aquatic life.
He noted that the municipality's vast water resources present significant opportunities for economic growth.
"About 30% of the total land area in the municipality is covered with water. We can take advantage of this by promoting irrigation farming along the riverbanks and supporting our local fishermen to adopt modern fishing methods," he said. He added that the municipality's beaches could also be developed into tourist sites to boost the local economy.
In addition to agriculture and tourism, Mr Seade promised to prioritize education by fast-tracking infrastructure development in schools.
"I have already demonstrated my commitment to community development during my tenure as a two-term assembly member. One of my achievements was bringing stakeholders together to solve problems locally. There are individuals within our communities who have the resources to support development projects, sometimes even more than the assembly itself. The key is engagement," he explained.
Mr Seade also assured residents that he would work to facilitate government projects that will benefit the municipality, particularly the Keta Sea Defense Project.
He noted that protecting the coastal areas is crucial for the municipality's long-term sustainability.
Mr Seade was among the 14 aspirants out of 16 who appeared before the vetting committee on the final day of the week-long vetting of MMDCEs in the Volta Region.