BANDA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY APPROVES PRESIDENT’S NOMINEE PETER DONGI AS DCE

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The Banda District Assembly in the Bono Region has confirmed Mr. Peter Dongi, the President’s nominee as the District Chief Executive (DCE).

In an election conducted and supervised by the Electoral Commission at Banda-Ahenkro, Mr. Dongi was unanimously approved, with a-100 percent ‘yes’ votes from the Assembly Members (AMs). The Assembly also elected Mr. Sulemana Yahaya as the Presiding Member of the Assembly.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Dongi thanked AMs and asked for their support towards the implementation of the government’s intervention programmes in the agriculture and fishing sectors.

He said crop and fish farmers required more support to improve the socio-economic livelihoods and gave assurance of his readiness to involve all stakeholders in the development process of the district.

Mr. Dongi pledged to engage the chiefs and queens actively in the development processes, saying, concerted efforts were required to protect the environment.

He expressed concern about illegal mining activities, influx of Fulani nomads and their unscrupulous cattle grazing activities as well as perennial bushfires and illegal logging and lumber in the area.

During the event, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy & Religious Affairs and Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency, reiterated the government’s commitment to decentralization, inclusivity, and effective local governance. He highlighted the swift progress made in nominating and confirming Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country.

The Local Government Minister also encouraged the youth to channel their energy into national service, describing it as a vital path to both national advancement and personal growth.

The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, appealed to the chiefs to support the government to eliminate illegal mining popularly known as “galamsey” in the area.

He said galamsey was wreaking havoc in the area as large tracts of farmland and rivers were destroyed, which was likely to threaten the government flagship initiative, “Feed Ghana Programme” since the intervention would require fertile land to implement.

Hon. Akwaboa said galamsey was not the only job available for the youth, explaining that the government was rolling out several decent jobs for them.

He said it was sad that some cashew farmers in the region were selling out their farms to illegal miners.

He said the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would soon intensify its operations to arrest and prosecute galamseyers and advised them to stay away to avoid prosecution.

Hon. Akwaboa charged MMDCEs, particularly Mr. Dongi, to work hard to justify his nomination and 100 per cent confirmation.

He appealed to the chiefs and people of the area to support Mr. Dongi to succeed.

Justice Gabriel Martey-Teye, a Supervising High Court Judge in Sunyani took the DCE and the PM through the oaths of office, secrecy and allegiance.