In a bid to revamp development initiatives in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region, newly appointed District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Stephen Aeke Akurugo, has urged Assembly staff to embrace interdepartmental collaboration as a cornerstone for effective service delivery.
Speaking at his first staff durbar since assuming office, Mr. Akurugo emphasized the power of teamwork in overcoming systemic challenges and achieving the Assembly’s goals. “Working together across departments will not only ensure efficiency but will bring tangible benefits to the communities we serve,” he stated.
The durbar, which followed a strategic management meeting with heads of departments, created a platform for open dialogue, feedback, and the sharing of ideas to align staff with the DCE’s development vision for the district.
A nurse by profession, Mr. Akurugo acknowledged the resource limitations facing the Assembly but encouraged staff not to be deterred. He pledged management’s commitment to recognizing hard work and dedication even in the face of constraints.
Key priorities outlined by the DCE included improvements in health, sanitation, education, roads, and other critical infrastructure. He cited President John Dramani Mahama’s directive on sanitation as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of District Assemblies.
Turning to infrastructure, Mr. Akurugo announced plans to inspect ongoing Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) projects within the district. He warned that contractors delivering substandard work would be held accountable. “We will not compromise on quality,” he asserted.
The SOCO Project is part of a $450 million World Bank-funded initiative shared by Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana’s $150 million allocation is being implemented in 48 districts across the northern parts of the country, with Kassena-Nankana West among the beneficiaries. Mr. Akurugo revealed that Phase Three of the SOCO Project would soon begin in the district.
Expressing gratitude to President Mahama for his nomination and to Assembly members for their support, the DCE vowed to uplift the district’s fortunes.
Mr. Amadu Abubakari, the District Coordinating Director, added his voice to the call for better resource allocation. He urged departmental heads to take an active role in the budgeting process to ensure that each unit’s needs are met effectively.
The durbar ended on a hopeful note, with a shared commitment from both leadership and staff to work collectively toward sustainable development in Kassena-Nankana West.
