In a shining example of grassroots leadership, Mr. Teddy Kwei Baddoo, Assembly Member for Abelemkpe in the Ayawaso West Municipality, is rallying residents and authorities alike to accelerate local development through innovative partnerships and proactive governance.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Baddoo outlined a community-centred vision anchored on improved healthcare, decentralised services, and collaborative development. He highlighted a major project—the transformation of an existing Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound into a fully equipped polyclinic—as a top priority for Abelemkpe.
“This is a shared dream for the people of Abelemkpe,” Mr. Baddoo said. “Our residents are ready to contribute in every way possible, but we need government support to complete and operationalise this critical health facility.”
His call comes as part of a broader push to deepen service delivery at the community level. In a novel collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr. Baddoo recently brought essential licensing and vehicle registration services directly to residents through an outreach programme.
“By decentralising these services, we are removing barriers and saving time and money for drivers in our area,” he explained. Services such as licence renewals, new registrations, and replacements were made available on-site—an initiative that was warmly received by local drivers.
Beyond transport services, Mr. Baddoo’s office is also facilitating health insurance registration and helping residents access social support schemes, aligning with his vision of inclusive development.
Recognising the burdens often carried by local representatives, Mr. Baddoo welcomed the Government’s decision to provide monthly stipends for Assembly Members but urged timely disbursement to enable continued grassroots advocacy and service delivery.
Dr. Michael Mensah, Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso West, praised Mr. Baddoo’s leadership, urging other Assembly Members to emulate his proactive stance.
“Community development begins with committed leadership. What we’re seeing in Abelemkpe is the kind of initiative we want across the municipality,” Dr. Mensah stated, while also urging all Assembly Members to prioritise sanitation and security in their localities.
Residents, too, are voicing their support. Mr. Alex Setsoafia Avorkpo, a long-time Abelemkpe resident, lauded the Assembly Member’s efforts and called on authorities to address poor street lighting in some neighbourhoods, noting the link between infrastructure and public safety.
As Abelemkpe continues to set the pace for local-level innovation and citizen participation, its example offers a template for how empowered communities, working hand-in-hand with their leaders, can drive sustainable change from the ground up.
