General Assembly Meeting held on 22nd and 23rd April,2021

2.0

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.2.1

3.2.2

3.2.3

3.2.4

3.2.5

3.2,6

3.2.7

3.2.8

3.2.9

4.0

5.0

6.0

6.1

7.0

7.1

8.0

8.1

8.2

 8.21

 9.0

10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

15.0

15.1

15.2

15.3

15.4

15.5

15.6

15.6

15.7

15.8

15.8.1

15.9

16.0

16.1

16.2

17.0

17.1

17.2

17.3

18.0

18.1

18.2

19.0

20.9

21.0

22.0

The meeting commenced at 10 23am.The opening prayer was said by Hon Rev. Emmanuel Annane.

OPENING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN

The Chairman, Hon Jeff K. Oware in his opening remarks, welcomed all members to the meeting and thanked members for responding to the meeting. He called on members to contribute in the proceedings devoid of personal interest to enable successful meeting.

READING AND CORRECTIONS OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

The following corrections were made by the Hon. Members.

Page 4, Hon. Akapong should be read as, Ankapong.

Page 5, Diawuosu        be read as Diawuoso

Page 7, The Committee would be chair by Hon. Kassim Sulemana was changed to Hon Rev. Emmanuel Annane.

Motion to Accept the Previous Minutes

After lengthy deliberations, corrections and insertions of the previous minutes, Hon. Maxwell Owusu Ansah moved for the acceptance of the previous minutes and the motion was seconded by Hon. Bismark Nii Teiko.

Matter’s Arising Out of the Previous Minutes.

Diawuoso Chip Compound

Hon. Alfred Fosu Donkor enquired to known the state of the borehole at Diawuoso Chip Compound.

The Head of works, Mr. Samuel Nti-Kyeremah responded that Management had resolved the challenges regarding the borehole at the Chip Compound.

Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)

Hon. Alfred Fosu Donkor again wanted to know whether or not the Education Directorate had submitted the report of the absenteeism of some students during the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

Mr. Owusu Ansah of GES in responding told the house that the Directorate had submitted the report to Management. Adding that, most of the causes were pregnancy.

The Presiding Member after deliberation tasked management to ensure that absenteeism during examination should not recur.

Mr. Owusu Ansah of GES in commenting assured the meeting that the Directorate would organized sensitization programs on girl child related issues for the schools that he said would address the issue.

 Final Disposal Site

When the Presiding Member enquired to know the state of final disposal site, Hon Gaado Tahiru responded that Management had visited the site and had issued warning letters to the end users of the facility.

Hon. Goerge Ankapong Fofie in commenting informed the house that, the problem at the site was still unresolved saying that Management must take immediate action to solved the issue.

Hon. Listowel Octere Daako on his part commented that the site serves Three (3) District and said the rate at which the site was used by the three Assemblies was too much and therefore advised Management to fast-track process of managing the facility efficiently.

Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)

Hon. Michael Afoakwah thanked the Electricity Company of Ghana for the good work done that resolved power challenges in the District.

The Presiding Member announced the death of the District Engineer of ECG. the Late Kwame Owusu Dorme. He called on members to mourn with the bereaved family members during the final funeral rites.

Adhoc Committee

Hon. Michael Afoakwah wanted members to brief with respect to the report of the adhoc committee in connection with the Fire Outbreak which occurred at the residency of the Presiding Members of the Assembly.

The District Chief Executive in her response to the request, informed members that the Committee had submitted their report to Management for which the report recommend that an amount of Fifteen Thousand Ghana Cedis (15,000.00) and a temporal accommodation be secure for the Presiding Member but said management upon review of the report resolved for the procurement of building to help the presiding member reconstruct his facility.

The Presiding Member after deliberation on the report thanked the house for their support and gesture when his residency engulfed with Fir outbreak.

Digitalization of Revenue Data

When Hon. Afoakwah wanted to know the digitalization agenda of all the Assembly’s revenue items, the DCD reported that, Data on properties within the Obuasi East had been uploaded onto the system saying that, the 2021 Fee Fixing Resolutions had also been uploaded on the DLREV System.

He again said that, data on business within the District had been also uploaded unto the page. Adding that, payment of the property rates and operating license were done on the system.

He concluded by saying that, currently the system was managed by the MIS Department of the Assembly.  

Distribution of Low Tension Electric Poles

Hon Maxwell Owusu Ansah urged management to ensure that, the low tension poles procured by the Assembly was distributed to Hon Members for replacement and extension of lights within their Electoral Areas.

The meeting discussed the issue and tasked management to distribute the Low Tension Poles to Hon Members

Desilting of Drains in the District.

The DCD reported that, the Assembly decision to desilt all drains in the district had been carried saying that plans were far advance to ensure that the rest of the drains are desilted.

The Assembly after extensive deliberation tasked management to ensure that chocked drains that were not desilt be desilted.

Procurement of Megaphones for Hon. Assembly Members.

When Hon Members wanted to know the status of the above, the DCD reported that procurement processes had begun and would soon be finalized to pave way for the procurement of the Megaphones for the Hon Members.

Members of the House discussed the issue and urged management to fast track the process.

Motion to Accept the Previous Minutes

After lengthy deliberations, corrections and insertions of the previous minutes, Hon. Daniel Obeng moved for the acceptance of the previous minutes and the motion was seconded by Hon. George Ankapong Fofie. The motion was carried.

PRESENTATION OF SEASSIONAL ADDRESS BY THE DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The above address was presented by the District Chief Executive and after the presentation of the address, Hon. Justice Anokye moved for the acceptance of the address. The motion was seconded by Hon. Rev. Emmanuel Anane. Please, refer to the attached Sessional Address of the Frist Ordinary meeting of the Second Assembly of the Obuasi East District Assembly in Appendix A.

BRIEFING BY THE DISTRICT POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS OFFICER.

The District Population and Housing Census Officer, Mr. Bernard Kusi in his brief report to the house on the upcoming Population and Housing Census, told the meeting that, in Ghana population and housing Census was conducted in every Ten-Years (10). He said the last census was held in 2010. Saying that the field work for 2021 PHC was scheduled to begin on 13^th June 2021, with 27^th June 2021 as a Census Night.

He said the rationale for conducting periodic censuses was to update the socio-demographic and economic data in the country and to also ascertain the changes that have occurred in the population structure since the last Census and among others.

He continued that, the exercise seeks to complete and enumerate all persons in a country at a specified time. Saying that the enumerators would sign Orth of secrecy for them not to disclose any information for others to access the data. He concludes that to ensure efficient data collection, management and processing results, Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) would be used. He therefore called for the cooperation of members to ensure successful exercise. He mentioned legal framework that protect the exercise as Act 2019 (Act 1003).

Comments from the Members

After the presentation, Hon. Alfred Fosu Donkor thanked the census team for the presentation. He advised them to continue sensitizing the general public through Local Media Platforms.

The Presiding member on his part thanked the team and assured them that the Assembly would support their activities and also members would embark on education regarding the exercise.

The District Chief Executive in contributing, informed the house that the Assembly would only attain municipal status after the outcome of the exercise. She advised members to take the exercise seriously and educate their electorate the need for the exercise.

PRESENTATION BY THE LEGAL AID COMMISSION

Mr. Roger Yendaw from the Legal Aid Commission present the commission paper to the house and said that the commission was formed under the Legal Act 977. He said, the purpose of the commission was to help vulnerable people (the poor) in the society in solving their issues. Adding that their mission was to also ensure that finance should not be a barrier for equal justice.

He therefore mentioned some of the activities performed by the commission as ensuring the enforcement of the provision of the constitution, solving family related issues such as child paternity, devoice, sharing of decease properties, landlord/lady and ternate issues, insurance disputes and among others. He said, commission service was free but said that with recovery of debt the commission charge 5% of the debt recorded.

He concluded his briefing by pleading with the Hon. Members to educate their communities about the existence and operations of the commission in the District.

Comments from the Members

Hon Michael Afoakwah thanked the commission for briefing the house and wonted to known their challenges in the course of discharging their duties.

Mr. Roger Yendaw responded that, funds were their challenged saying that the commission survived on donations.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Briefing on Security Situation in the District

The District Police Commander in his brief report to the house told the members that there were peace and tranquility in the District. He Said, the illegal mining activities at Sampsonkrom was a treat to the security of the district but said with the quick interventions took by the DISEC, the issue was amicably resolved. Saying that, the Government restrictions on public gathering was still in force and therefore called on the members to comply.

Brief Report by Member of Parliament for Obiuasi East Constituency.

The Member of Parliament for Obuasi East Constituency, Hon. Dr. Patrick Boakye Yeidom in his brief report to the house thanked God for the life of members as they passed through during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He said even though the period limited most of activities in the District but the District Emergency Health Team and taskforce were able to help reduce the spread of the virus. He said as part of the effort to eliminate the novel virus, the Government had imported vaccine and administer same to the citizenry.

On projects the MP informed the house that during the year the Assembly was able to commissioned Three (3) health facilities. Adding that he had fixed distributed street in the communities.  Saying that over Six Hundred Tables and Chairs were distributed to the schools in the district. Again, passed questions were bought and distributed to head teachers to enhance teaching and learning. The MP continued that Ten (10) Borehole with water Tanks were dung in selected communities and had since been used saying that the Boete Park refurbishment had since been completed and commissioned.

H concluded his report by assuring the house that, the planned construction of Lorry Terminal would soon commence after the handing over of the land for the relocation of the timber market by the AGA.

 Comments from the Members

Hon. Justice Anokye commented that Health Insurance policy was not working in all new health facilities commissioned. He urged the MP to ensure that the facilities accept the health insurance policies.

The MP in his response assured the house that measure would be taken to ensure that health facilities accept the health insurance policies in the facilities.

Hon Goerge Ankapong Fofie enquired on his part wonted to know when the roads in the District would be constructed.

The MP responded that, the contractors were on site saying that, they are working on the convert and drains and hoped that it would soon be done.

Hon Yakubu Lamin thanked fire service personnel for the service rendered to the District saying that the service was able to rescued a building at Ayimadukrom from burning within the shortest time and therefore urged the house to create access road Said in their communities in order to avert such disaster in case of fire

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Presiding Member announced to the house that some of the motor Bike for the Hon. Members were ready but said the rest would soon arrive after that NALAG would distribute to the members.

MOTTION

After the lengthy discussions, deliberations and contributions, Hon. Alfred Fosu Donkor moved for the adjournment of the meeting. His motion was seconded by Hon. Justice Anokye.

The meeting was adjourned to Friday, 23^rd April 2021.

CLOSING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDING MEMBER

The presiding member thanked members for their contribution and cooperation during the proceedings and called on them to report early on the adjourned date to enable the meet close on time.

CLOSING

The closing prayer was said by Hon. Derick Boadi Tweneboah and the meeting came to a closed at 1:08am.

DAY TWO

OPENING

The meeting commenced at 10:07am. The opening prayer was said by Hon. Rev. Emmanuel Annane.

OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDING MEMBER

The Presiding Member Hon, Jeff K. Oware, welcomed members to the meeting and thanked members for attending the meeting. He said the attendance was not encouraging therefore called for a roll call to ascertain the true number of Hon. Member present.

 He called on members to contribute serenely to enable successful meeting.

CONDUCT OF THE ROLL CALL

After the conduct of the roll call under listed Hon Members were not present during the Roll Call

•      Hon. Maxwell Owusu-Ansah

•      Hon. Kojo Boafo

•      Hon. Derick Boadi Tweneboah

•      Hon. Gaado Tahiru

•      Hon. Daniel Obeng

•      Hon. Charles Doe

•      Hon. Bismark Ankowauh

•      Hon. Beatrice Boadi

•      Hon. Justice Anokye

•      Hon. Edmond Oduro

•      Hon. Nana Ntisem-Ababio

•      Hon. Salamatu Awal

•      Hon. Jalil Jibrine

The following Departmental/Units/Agencies’ Heads were absent during the Roll Call conducted by the presiding member.

•      NBSSI

•      Forestry

•      Birth and Death

•      Police Service

•      Prison Service

•       Planning

•      Budget

•      Internal Audit

•      Finance

•      City Guard

PRESENTATION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

The Executive Committee report was presented by the District Chief Executive, Hon Fuasina Amissah. The presentation was made as follows;

Finance and Administration Sub Committee

•      That, the Assembly should collect data on all economic activities within the District.

•      That, Five Member committee comprising the Convener of Finance and Administration, Mines and Environment, Planning, Works and Development Sub-committees and Hon. Beatrice Boadi be constituted to review all agreements with respect to the Build Operate and Transfer [BOT] entered into by the Obuasi Municipal Assembly. Assistant Director I was selected to be the secretary to the committee.

•      That, the Assembly should fast-track the process of entering into a proper agreement with the transport operators at Tutuka Lorry Terminal.

•      That, a Committee consist of Finance Officer, Finance and Administration Sub-Committee Convener, City Guards, Hon. Member and the Unity Committee Members of the respective Electoral Areas of operation be constituted as a Special Revenue Mobilization Taskforce to ensure that the Business Operators honors their obligations by paying their business operating permits. Property rate payers and other permit payable to the Assembly are realized.

Development Planning Sub-Committee Report

•      That, the Assembly should release funds and engage the services of experts to prepare Spatial Development Framework for the District to guide the developmental agenda of the District.

•      That, all Sand and Laterite Wining should be regulates through the acquisition of Sand and Laterite Wining operating permit from the Assembly before operation.

•      That, the Assembly should take step to desilt drains in flood prone Areas to ensure free flow of stagnant water.

•      That, the Assembly should take steps to procure adequate Street Bulbs and Electric Poles for distribution districtwide.

•      That, the Assembly should have prototype and standardized drawings for all Assembly projects.

•      That, the Assembly should examine the financial capabilities and strength of contractors before awarding contract to them.

•      That, steps must be taken to ensure that all on-going projects completed and paid before new contracts awarded.

•      That, retaining walls be constructed for the 2-Unit Classroom Block being constructed at Bosman as a results of its nearness to a stream.

•      That, there should be regular and effective monitoring and supervision of projects under taking by the Assembly to ensure good and quality work done on site.

Social Service Sub-Committee

•      That, Community members be engaged by the Assembly through NCCE, District Information Service and District Health Service on behaviour change regarding the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic.

•      That, there should be a continuous enforcement of the Covid19 safety protocols in the District by the Taskforce.

Justice and Security Sub-Committee

•      That, Divisional Command should request for additional Police personnel to augment the existing personnel.

•      That, the Police Commander should have mechanism to monitor the sale of Tramadol by Zabrama people in Obuasi East District.

•       That, the Police Service monitor the activities of the Pragia Drivers in the District.

•      That, the general public should be advised to always call Fire Service Emergency Phone Number i.e. 0506947777 whenever there is a fire outbreak instead of putting out fire themselves.

•      That, the Assembly should repair Fire Service Appliance Bay/Fire Tender Bay.

•      That, Management should assist the Police Command with Two Phones. That is, One Land-line and One Cell Phone for official use at the command.

Works Sub-Committee

•      That, the Assembly should apply the non-performance clause in the contractual process and terminate contract from any contractor who fail to complete his/her side of the contract within the contract period.

•      That, Management should speed-up the process of procuring and installing of Street Bulbs to ensure that the security of the people in the night is not compromise.

•      That, Management should notify all illegal occupants of the PTP Quarters with deadline for ejecting them.

Agric Sub-Committee

•      That, efforts be intensified to ensure timely supply of approve seedlings to the farmers to meet the main planting season.

•      That, Management should contact the Officer-in-charge of the Oil Palm Seedlings to speed up the process.

•      That, all shops which were not accredited to sell PFJ inputs should be made to stop from selling higher prices.

•      That, there should be an effective monitoring mechanism in place to ensure that PFJ inputs are sold on the approved government prices.

Mines and Environment Sub-Committee

•      That, the District Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee On Sanitation (DICCS) be made to draft and submit roadmap to regulate the transportation of food products in the District.

•      That, the Assembly should investigate the alleged mining activities at Odumase, behind the Clinic for which Nana Kwamoa Bosompem II, the Chief of the Community said he does not have any idea of those who were behind.

Motion

After the presentation, Hon Isaac Nsaah moved for the discussion of the Executive Committee’s report. The motion was seconded by Hon. Vincent K. Donkor.

Discussions of The Executive Committee Report

Hon. Mike Afoakwah urged management to digitize the Assembly data that he said would enable easy retrieval of data for future reference.

The District Chief Executive commented that, the Assembly had started using GIZ system and the tablet to collect data.

BOT Committee

Regarding the F&A recommendation for the constitution of the Five Member committee to work on all BOT agreement to correspond to the current situation. Members discussed the recommendation and resolved to constitute Five-Member Committee to review all agreements in respect of the Build Operate and Transfer [BOT] entered into by the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.

Hon. Mike Afoakwah thanked the Executive Committee for ensuring that developmental framework was well designed. He advised Management to put the necessary inputs in place to implement same.

Hon. Isaac Nsaah in commenting said that the drains within the District were in bad condition and need immediate attention. Saying that, people could not use some of the roads when it rained.

The DCE responded that, Management had tasked NADMO to work on all the Drains and submit report for Management attention.

Hon. Maxwell Owusu-Ansah commented that electric poles should be distributed to members to ensure availability of lights within the district.

Hon. Mike Afoakwah in commenting, thanked Management for putting up measures that help in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic. He urged that any planned activities aimed at reducing the spread of the novel virus be implemented.

Hon. Sulemana Kassim in contributing said that most of the communities had not developed therefore, using community information centers alone could not help in spreading information and therefore, urged Management to speed up the process of procuring megaphones to Hon. Members to enable them to disseminate information to the grassroots.

The DCE in her response informed the house that Management was working on the procurement process of the Megaphones of which she assured members that the Megaphones would soon be ready for distribution.

Access Route

The house observed that most of the access route within the District were in bad condition and needs immediate attention. The DCE commented that Hon Members should help the Assembly to ensuring that containers were placed at the appropriate places.

The house after deliberations tasked Physical Planning and Works Department to ensuring access route in the communities and also ensure that containers are placed at the appropriate places.

BRIEFING ON THE STATE OF COVID-19 IN THE DISTRICT

Miss. Stella Agyapong from Health Directorate in her briefing on the state of COVID-19 in the District, informed the house that the virus was still in existence and therefore, urged all to take care of themselves and also ensure the observance of all COVID-19 protocols. She said the directorates recorded cases but the patients were not isolated. Saying that very soon the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine would be administering soon.

Provision of COVID-19 PPEs

 The house commented on the need for the Assembly to provide Covid-19 PPEs to communities, institutions as well as Hon. Assembly Members within the District.

After lengthy discussion on the issue of provision of PPEs, members resolved to provide PPEs such as Noise Masks, Hand Sanitizers, Veronica Bucket and other toiletries to Communities, Institutions as well as Hon. Assembly Members

Unapproved Interview

The house after discussion the report of Health Director with regard to the COVID-19 and the nurse that granted unapproved interview by the health directorate putting the name of the Directorate into disrepute.

Members tasked the Health Directorate to investigate the nurse who granted interview on Diawuoso Chip Compound and report at the next meeting.

MOTION

Hon Justice Anokye moved for amendment of the agenda to include presentation of Committee Report on an alleged illegal Mining at Diawuoso. The motion was seconded by Hon. Maxwell Owusu-Ansah.

Presentation of Committee Report on an alleged illegal Mining at Diawuoso

The above Committee report was presented by Mr. Jones Agyemang the District Planning Officer. He informed the house that, the Committee made a field visit to the alleged mining site and found out the following;

•      That about 10acre farm lands was used for the mining activity

•      That the activities were Surface manual mining

•      That the Size of excavations was about 6×4×4

•      That the activities were carried about 100m from the Clinic

•      That the pits were covered but it was not level with the actual surface of the land.

•      That there were Cassava, maize and plantain planted on almost the entire reclaimed land

•      That there were Fresh excavations on the site.

•      That it was alleged that owners of the land were aware and consented to the activities.

He added that the Committee contacted the Queen Mother Odumasi and the Assembly Member of the community to solicited their views about the allegation.  The Queen Mother told the Committee that there was no such activity in the community or anywhere near the community. saying that, the Assembly Member of the area informed her about the presence of some people who were undertaking such activities behind the clinic.

He concluded his presentation with the following recommendations;

•      That Management should ensure security at the site to ward off any potential illegal miners.

•      That owners of the farmlands should be identified and cautioned of any alleged miners being carried on their land.  

Comments from The Members

Hon. Justice Anokye commented that the Committee interrogated some of the farmers and they were told that the miners used machine to search for the gold.

The DCE commented that the Assembly would find out if indeed the land belong to the forestry. Saying the Assembly cannot take any action on the land if the place belongs to the forestry.

Hon. Nana Kwamoah Bosompem commented that he has no idea of their existence. Saying the miners could have report their present in the community to the chief.

Motion

Without further discussions and deliberations, Hon Daniel Obeng moved for the acceptant of the Committee report. This motion was seconded by Hon. Mike Afoakwah.  

PRESENTATION OF AN ADHOC COMMITTEE REPORT (MEMORIAL PARK)

The above Committee report was presented by Mr. Jones Agyemang the District Planning Officer. He therefore took the house through the Committee’s recommendations as follows:

•      That, the Assembly should create access road to the Memorial Park site.

•      That, the site should be fenced to avoid encroaching by the developers.

•      That, Sign Posts be mounted on site to ward-off encroachers.

•      That, the site should be officially planned and zoned for cemetery for the District.

•      That, negotiations between the Assembly and the Chiefs should be suspended.

•      That, stakeholders meeting with Nananom should be organized to discuss how best they could help the Assembly to generate revenue from the cemeteries.

Comments from the Members

Hon. Justice Anokye suggested that there should be pillars to indicate the Assembly’s portion of the land.

On his part, Hon. Rev. Emmanuel K. Anane commented that Private Individuals used part of the land for farming.

The DCE commented that the house should hold on with the generation of revenue from the smaller cemeteries and concentrate on how the Assembly could develop the parks before generating revenue from same.

Motion

Without further discussions and deliberations, Hon Maxwell Owusu-Ansah moved for the acceptant of Committees recommendations. The motion was seconded by Hon. Mike Afoakwah. 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Hon. Daniel Obeng commented that the number of absenteeism by the Hon. Members at the General Assembly Meetings were alarming. He advised that necessary measures be put in place to enforce members to be present at all meetings.

Hon Justice Anokye moved for the Assembly to applied the laws governing absenteeism from meeting without permission. His motion was seconded by Hon Mike Afoakwah.

MOTION

With absent of further discussions and deliberations, Hon Justice Anokye moved for the meeting to come to an end. The motion was seconded by Hon. Kojo Boafo.

CLOSING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDING MEMBER

The Presiding Member, Hon Jeff K. Oware in his closing remarks thanked members for contributing during the proceedings. He urged members to go to their Eletoral Area and disseminate the Assembly’s deliberations to their Electoral Areas.

CLOSING

The meeting came to a closed at 12:23pm and the closing payer was said by Rev. Emmanuel Annane.

PREPARED BY:                                                                   APPROVED BY:

ERIC ABOAGYE-MENSAH                                            HON. JEFF K. OWARE

(DISTRICT CORD. DIRECTOR)                                 (PRESIDING MEMBER)

MGT

MGT

MGT

NADMO

BOT COM.

MGT

DHD