Central Regional Minister urges use of religious platforms to change environmental, sanitation practices
The Central Regional Minister, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere, has called on the clergy, Imams and chiefs to use their platforms to educate the public on the need to desist from activities that destroy the environment.
Central Regional Minister Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah urged religious leaders and chiefs to utilize their platforms and influence to change environmental and sanitation practices within their communities. Mr Okyere emphasized that these platforms are powerful mediums that can reach large numbers of people, facilitating attitudinal change.
During an accountability forum organized by the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Assembly, the Minister explained how the Assembly's share of the 2025 District Assemblies' Common Fund was utilized and accepted feedback from residents to guide future actions for enhancing their livelihoods.
He expressed hope that the Assembly would not have to allocate 10% of the Common Fund for waste collection if religious leaders effectively educated people against littering and the indiscriminate dumping of waste. Mr Okyere implored the community to change their behavior to retain the funds allocated for sanitation for more significant developmental projects, particularly in education and health sectors.
He noted that successes are not achieved in a vacuum but through planning and hard work, and the government is undertaking programs and innovations to improve citizens' lives despite the challenges it inherited.
The District Chief Executive for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mrs Olivia Bentil, highlighted the district's vision to become a leading district in improving the quality of life through wealth creation, sustainable development programs, and good governance. She provided a population projection from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, indicating an approximate population of 143,780, with 32 electoral areas, eight towns, and area councils.
Mrs Bentil shared that the Assembly budgeted GH¢26,779,269.20 for 2025 and received GH¢14,624,616.00 as its share of the Common Fund. She explained the allocation of funds, including GH¢3,656,154.00 for a 24-hour market construction, GH¢1,462,461.60 each for health, water, the environment, and furniture, GH¢5,288,114.22 for administration, and GH¢2,024,193.78 for legacy projects.
The DCE listed several priority projects executed, including government flagship programs, the construction of 24-hour economy model markets, CHPS compounds, KG, primary and JHS blocks at various locations, and 12 mechanized boreholes.
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