The Metropolitan Planning Co-ordinating Unit of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly has held a one-day stakeholders forum to identify and assess the needs and problems of the metropolis to determine its development and growth path for 2010-2013.
The forum, the first in a series, would also come up with outputs that would enhance similar processes already undertaken and those yet to be taken.
The participants were drawn from the traditional councils of Tema and Kpone, state and public enterprises, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate entities, assembly members and a cross-section of residents.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, who opened the forum, said the proposed programme and projects would be funded by the government, donors and grants and support from the assembly’s internally generated funds.
Mr Ofosuware commended the gathering for the high turnout and said it was important to have input from all stakeholders in the metropolis to build a vibrant and successful community.
He explained that the forum would enable the city’s planners to plan the development of the metropolis to improve the living standards of residents.
Mr Ofosuware said the TMA prepared its Medium Term Development Plan Strategy to improve and sustain the standard of living of the people through effective participation.
He said over the years, the TMA had implemented activities with its development partners and the government to provide opportunities for the citizens to participate in the local decision-making process.
Mr Ofosuware explained that the programme was intended to deepen the decentralisation programme and improve quality service delivery to ensure the total development of the metropolis.
He called on the stakeholders to make useful inputs to help shape policies and strategies that would lead to the selection of development programmes and projects for the metropolis.
The Planning Officer for the metropolis, Mr Kofi Taylor-Appiah, said Act 479 of the National Development Planning Commission empowered metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to hold fora at the various levels to solicit inputs for development.
He said it also provided the legal framework for the formulation and execution of plans, programmes and strategies for effective mobilisation of resources for the overall development of the districts, municipalities and metropolises.
The presentation gave the outline of the physical and natural environment of the Tema Metropolis and its demographic characters.
The population of the metropolis grew at an annual rate of 2.6 per cent from 298,432 in 2009 to 387,045 in 2010.
It is estimated that the population growth would reach 418,444 by the end of the planning period in 2013.
The stakeholders gave various views on the development of the metropolis and expressed the wish to be included in the planning of the area’s development for it to become the vibrant city befitting Tema.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku, and the Kpone Mantse, Nii Tetteh Otu, were present at the forum.
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