The Ho and Hohoe municipalities in the Volta Region are set for metropolitan status.
“I have instructed the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftancy and Religious Affairs to start the process to upgrade the two municipalities,” said President John Dramani Mahama at the sod-cutting for the oxygen city project at Agbokope, near Ho, last Wednesday.
He said some districts had also been identified for upgrading to municipal status and that would be announced “soon.”
The regional capital, Ho, has a population of about 200,000, while Hohoe, known for its vibrant commercial activities, has close to 150,000 inhabitants.
President Mahama said the government would take the appropriate steps to provide decent housing in line with environmentally responsible and modern national planning frameworks to enhance their metropolitan status.
Gunu
The Regional Minister, James Gunu, hailed the move to upgrade the status of Ho and Hohoe to metropolitan, saying among the benefits would be larger allocations to their Common Funds and access to more development grants for larger infrastructural and social development projects.
“Greater administrative autonomy will give the assemblies stronger decision-making powers, allowing faster policy implementation and better local governance without excessive central government delays,” he added.
Mr Gunu said that a higher status would also come with priority in road construction, urban transport, sanitation systems, housing and utilities and the management of urban growth.
“Metropolitan areas attract private investors, businesses and industries due to better planning authority, visibility and service delivery, leading to job creation and increased local revenue,” he told the Daily Graphic.
In addition, the regional minister said metropolitan assemblies had stronger planning and regulatory capacity to improve land use management, waste management, public health services, education and security for residents.
Hohoe
The Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, Prosper Kumi, told the Daily Graphic in a telephone conversation that Hohoe was not only a lucrative commercial hub, but also an important corridor to the Oti Region and the northern part of the country.
He said its location close to Togo put it in a strategic position for cross-border trade, and that would be enhanced with metropolitan status.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
