The discussion and public hearing ceremony was to enable communities and relevant stakeholders take a critical look at the plan, make the necessary inputs and changes so as to reflect the peculiar needs of the Metropolis in the four year life of the plan.

Mr Henry Owusu, the Metropolitan Development Planner said the Medium term development was to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants with the provision of sustainable socio- economic development and good governance that was responsive to the needs of the people.

The STMA has five sub-Metro with various priority needs such as roads, drainage, streetlights, schools blocks, water and sanitation and health, governance and security, housing and parks, agriculture, storm drains and market places and community centre among others.

Mr Owusu said the assembly was looking at building a prosperous society through demand-driven approach to agricultural development, improve production efficiency and yield, post-Harvest Management and ensure sustainable development and management of aquaculture and develop a competitive creative arts industry.

He said  the assembly  would also concentrate on the goal of creating opportunities for all through access to safe and reliable water supply services, environmental sanitation services, effective child protection and family welfare system, promote economic empowerment of women and strengthen social protection, especially for children, women, persons with disability and the elderly , promote full participation of PWDs in social and economic development and enhance sports and recreational infrastructure.

According to him, summary cost of the 2018-2021 plan under the thematic areas include; economic development GHC3,428,020,000, social development GHC 47, 204, 500, environment, infrastructure and human settlement GHC3,101, 485, 975 and governance, corruption and public accountability GHC11, 645, 000.   

Later, the Friends of the Nation organised a sub-metro level meeting on the draft development plan to deliberate on emerging issues under the engaging citizens’ project to ensure effective local governance.

The meeting revealed that communities such as Akromakrom, Ahanta Abassa, and Mbredane were in dire need of government teachers, clean water and school feeding to enable students stay in school.

The absence of health facilities in communities such as Nkroful, Ntaamakrom, Agric, Ahinkofikrom, Ekuasi and Mempeasem and Mbredane was also high on the demand list. Mr Anthony K. K. Sam, the Metropolitan Chief Executive assured the sub Metros of the assembly’s commitment to meet the various needs to improve livelihood.

He therefore encouraged the citizenry to take active part in their civic responsibility by paying their levies and taxes in order for the assembly to generate enough funds to augment government and donor support.