The Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly has taken another step toward strengthening grassroots governance and improving public service delivery with the commissioning of a new office complex for the Sheshi Zonal Council.
The facility, officially opened by Emmanuel Tutuani Adjei, Presiding Member of the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly and Assembly Member for the La Violation and Kawansah Electoral Area, is expected to bring municipal services closer to residents while supporting the Assembly’s broader decentralisation and local development agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Adjei described the project as a demonstration of the Assembly’s commitment to empowering local governance structures and ensuring that communities play a greater role in shaping their own development.
He said the establishment of the office would enable the Sheshi Zonal Council to operate more effectively and independently while delivering key services directly to residents and businesses within its jurisdiction.
“The opening of this office is not just about providing a building. It is about bringing governance closer to the people, improving access to services and creating a stronger partnership between the Assembly and the communities we serve,” he stated.
Mr. Adjei noted that the new office would spearhead revenue mobilisation, sanitation management, regulatory enforcement and community engagement activities aimed at supporting development across the municipality.
According to him, the council has been mandated to collect ceded revenue and issue operating permits to a range of businesses, including container shops, block factories, washing bays, provision stores, hairdressing salons and selected garages.
He added that the council would also intensify sanitation enforcement and environmental management efforts, while engaging residents through consultations to identify and implement community-driven development projects.
Mr. Adjei emphasized that the Assembly’s decision to strengthen the operations of zonal councils reflects a deliberate effort to improve governance at the local level and ensure that development reaches every community.
The Sheshi Zonal Council, one of three zonal councils under the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly alongside Abelenkpe and Westlands, has set an annual revenue target of GH¢200,000, with projections indicating that collections could rise to about GH¢280,000 following a recent budget review.
Representing the Municipal Chief Executive and the Municipal Coordinating Director, Ashiokor Osei-Frimpong, Deputy Director of the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, described the commissioning as a major milestone in the municipality’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local administration and improve service delivery.
She said the transformation of the council from operating within the Assembly’s General Administration Units in 2022 to occupying a dedicated office complex demonstrates the Assembly’s commitment to building strong local institutions capable of driving development at the community level.
Mrs. Osei-Frimpong commended the leadership of the council and encouraged its staff to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, professionalism and responsiveness in their interactions with residents.
She further conveyed the congratulations of the Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director and the Assembly’s management team, expressing confidence that the facility would enhance administrative efficiency and support the municipality’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
Residents were also encouraged to support the council by paying ceded revenue through the zonal office and actively participating in community consultations aimed at identifying local development priorities.
The commissioning of the new office is expected to improve access to municipal services, strengthen citizen participation and advance the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly’s efforts to deepen decentralisation and accelerate development across its communities.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
