The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has received over GH¢23 million from the World Bank to execute about 22 projects across the metropolis under the Urban Development Grant (UDG).
The UDG was an annual performance-based grant for 46 metropolitan and municipal assemblies in the country from 2012 to 2016.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Kobina Kurentsir Sam, revealed this when he, together with the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, inaugurated some projects under the UDG and the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Programme (GUMPP) in the area.
The GUMPP is a programme financed by the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) to support the Ministry of Local Government and four assemblies to finance their priority investment projects and support their capacity building in critical areas.
He noted that with funding from the French government through the AFD, the Ministry of Local Government selected Sekondi-Takoradi among other three cities to implement the GUMPP.
He indicated that an Integrated Social Centre was constructed and the Takoradi Kokompe industrial enclave was also upgraded with a new Skills Training Centre.
The MCE explained that the Integrated Social Centre at Effiakuma was aimed at providing a one-stop information centre for skills development and counselling of victims from child trafficking as well as abused targeted groups.
It also included installation of street naming signage, construction of 200 metres link road to Kokompe Taxi Rank Station, provision of water supply for Kokompe enclave and construction of drain with slab at Effiakuma.
He also mentioned that one project executed through the UDG with funding from the World Bank was the construction of a library complex at Takoradi and Youth Development Centre in Sekondi.
The MCE for the Effia-Kwesimintsim Metropolitan Assembly, Kojo Acquah, mentioned that the Social Integrated Centre was one of the Priority Investment Projects (PIP) and was also to help address incidence of street children.
“Other amenities like the provision of an ICT centre would assist in bridging the digital divide gap. The shops and conference facility are also expected to generate the needed funds for the operation and maintenance of the facility”, he added.
Hajia Alima Mahama revealed that the programme was in its final year of implementation with an expected completion date of December, 2019.
“However, feasibility studies are currently being undertaken to extend the project to other secondary cities”, she added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi