SEKONDI-TAKORADI METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY HOLDS SECOND ORDINARY MEETING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE NINTH ASSEMBLY

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has held the Second Ordinary Meeting of the Third Session of the Ninth Assembly to review the progress of projects, programmes and activities undertaken since its First Ordinary Meeting held in April.

Addressing the Assembly, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Fredrick Faustinus Faidoo, highlighted key administrative developments, including the posting of officers to critical departments such as Waste Management, Physical Planning, and the Central Administration to strengthen service delivery.

On the financial performance of the Assembly, Hon. Faidoo stated that the Assembly collected GH¢ 9,799,294.41 against an approved annual target of GH¢ 20,746,251.85, representing a 47.2% achievement rate at mid-year. Total expenditure stood at GH¢ 9,375,325.90 out of a GH¢ 20,746,251.18 budget, representing a total execution rate of 45.2%.

The security situation within the Metropolis remains calm and stable, Hon. Faidoo said. He commended the Metro Security Council (METSEC) for its diligence and professionalism in addressing security concerns. He further disclosed that the Assembly is undertaking a streetlight improvement programme across the Metropolis to enhance public safety and security.

Speaking on social intervention programmes, the Metropolitan Chief Executive revealed that the Assembly provided financial assistance to 34 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for medical care, educational expenses and income-generating activities to improve their livelihoods. He also announced that 127 households have been enrolled onto the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme following a successful validation and verification exercise conducted across eleven communities within the Metropolis. Additionally, a total of 19,966 vulnerable persons were enrolled onto or had their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership renewed, and 26,565 pupils in ninety-seven (97) public basic schools benefitted from the daily nutritious meals of the Ghana School Feeding Programme during the third term of the 2025/2026 academic year.

Hon. Faidoo also reported that the Metro Education Directorate adequately prepared the final-year pupils for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). He added that Cultural Week and International Menstrual Hygiene Day were commemorated in all schools through cultural heritage activities, menstrual hygiene education, and the distribution of sanitary pads to female learners. Additionally, the STMA emerged as the Overall Champion at the 2026 Inter-District Sports Festival held in Tarkwa, winning gold medals in Boys' Handball, Girls' Table Tennis and Boys' Athletics, as well as silver and bronze medals in other sporting disciplines.

On disaster management, the MCE disclosed that the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has intensified public education and risk assessment activities within the Metropolis. He indicated that 88 dilapidated structures have been identified as posing serious risks to public safety and will require demolition. He further announced the launch of the Disaster Volunteer Group, an initiative aimed at equipping community members with disaster preparedness and response knowledge to strengthen disaster risk reduction efforts.

The Hon. MCE also mentioned that the Assembly received a total of 300,000-day-old chicks for brooding and subsequent distribution to registered poultry farmers in the Metropolis under the President's "Nkokɔnkitsinkitsi" Livestock Project. Reporting on road infrastructure, Hon. Faidoo indicated the rehabilitation of 39 km of selected roads in Greater Sekondi-Takoradi being undertaken by Messrs Justmoh Construction Limited is progressing steadily. Furthermore, the construction of selected roads in Sekondi-Takoradi (Phase I), being executed by Messrs Viabuild, is at 95.49% completion, with minor finishing works outstanding.

Touching on environmental sanitation and waste management, he disclosed that the Assembly has applied to the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) for technical assistance to implement an Integrated Waste Bio-digestion and Recycling Plant Project. He explained that the proposed project aims to divert at least 80 percent of the Metropolis' solid waste from the landfill through waste recovery and recycling. The initiative is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce flood risks from choked drains, curb plastic pollution in the marine environment, and create sustainable green employment opportunities for both formal and informal actors within the waste management sector.

The meeting formed part of the Assembly's commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and collaborative decision-making while accelerating socio-economic development across the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.