The Suhum Municipal Chief Executive, Lydia Ohenewaa, says her administration has made significant progress in completing abandoned health projects and initiating new ones within her first eight months in office. She said the move is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to MMDCEs to prioritise the completion of abandoned projects before undertaking new ones.
Speaking on the Siempieso Political Talk Show hosted by Emmanuel Martey, popularly known as Alaska De-Don, on Ahotor 92.3FM, Madam Ohenewaa said she inherited several unfinished projects, including CHPS compounds at Asarikrom, Brondensu and Kwamina Kumi. She said she and officials of the Assembly toured the municipality after assuming office to identify abandoned projects requiring urgent attention.
Madam Ohenewaa said the ultra-modern CHPS compound at Akrabo, which was awarded in 2025, has been completed and handed over within six months, including a nurses’ bungalow. She said other health facilities have also received nurses’ accommodation, while the Asarikrom and Kwamina Kumi projects have been completed and work is ongoing on the Abonabo Health Centre.
She said the completion of the facilities has brought healthcare closer to residents, many of whom previously had to travel elsewhere for treatment. Madam Ohenewaa said she recently visited some of the facilities and was encouraged by the joy expressed by residents who are now able to access healthcare within their communities.
Roads
On roads, the MCE described poor road networks as one of the major challenges confronting the municipality, particularly in rural communities where access remains difficult. She said the Assembly has been using machines provided under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to reshape roads, although the exercise was suspended because of the rains and is expected to resume in September.
She said some individuals and organisations with schools and health facilities in communities have also partnered with the Assembly to improve access roads to their projects. Madam Ohenewaa said community engagements are ongoing and expressed hope that residents and other stakeholders will continue supporting the Assembly to address the road situation.
She added that the Akrabo road has been awarded and the Assembly is pushing the contractor to mobilise to site, while several other roads have also been awarded for construction and improvement.
Education
Madam Ohenewaa said she inherited a significant education infrastructure deficit, with some communities still using old and deplorable school structures. She said some children were learning in mud buildings and, in certain communities, could not attend school during the rainy season because of the poor condition of the structures.
She cited Kukuoso as one of the communities that required urgent intervention and said she instructed that work should begin immediately on the school project. According to her, the project has now been completed as an ultra-modern three-unit classroom block within her eight months in office, while a similar project at Adaquah Basic School has also been completed and handed over.
She said several other schools in the municipality still require reconstruction and basic amenities, including toilet facilities. She added that work is ongoing on an Akrabo JHS project, which, when completed, is expected to reduce congestion and provide relief for pupils and teachers.
Security and sanitation
On security, the MCE commended the Municipal Security Council and the Ghana Police Service for their support, saying increased police visibility and the installation of streetlights have improved security in parts of the municipality. She said areas that were previously difficult for residents to use at night have become safer, while robbery incidents have also come under control.
Madam Ohenewaa disclosed that the Akrabo Police Station has been completed, commissioned and handed over to the Ghana Police Service. She said the Assembly will continue working with the security agencies to strengthen security and protect residents across the municipality.
On sanitation, she estimated the Assembly’s progress at about 85 percent, saying most refuse sites that were previously full have been decongested. She said security personnel have been stationed at the sites, cleaners are monitoring them, additional waste containers have been provided, and city sweepers have been employed to clean principal streets daily.
The MCE appealed to NGOs and residents to support the Assembly’s sanitation efforts and adhere to sanitation guidelines. She warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse could undermine the gains made, adding that sanitation enforcement agencies will arrest recalcitrant offenders under the Assembly’s by-laws.
Development and political cooperation
Madam Ohenewaa said she maintains a good working relationship with all Assembly members, including those affiliated with both the NPP and NDC. She stressed that development should take precedence over partisan politics, saying the Assembly’s focus is on improving the lives of residents.
She also highlighted agriculture as a major economic activity in the municipality because of its geographical location. She disclosed that the Agriculture Department had informed her that palm seedlings had arrived for distribution to farmers to support agricultural production and livelihoods.
Student support
The MCE further announced plans to support 400 JHS graduates with trunks and mattresses as they transition to senior high and vocational schools. She said she previously supported 300 students while serving as NDC Women’s Organiser, but has increased the target to 400 students in her current position as MCE.
She said she has started engaging NGOs to expand the initiative and disclosed that the Soul Foundation has already supported more than 1,000 students with sandals and footwear. She said the support forms part of her efforts to assist students from less-resourced backgrounds as they continue their education.
Suhum New Lorry Park
Madam Ohenewaa also disclosed that work has resumed on the Suhum New Lorry Park, a project started under a former MCE but later abandoned. She said construction is now progressing, with 40 lockable stores being developed to provide better facilities for traders and transport operators and improve commercial activity in the municipality.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
