The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, conducted an official visit to the Teshie Traditional Council, engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including the Paramount Chief of Teshie, Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, Member of Parliament for the Ledzokuku Constituency, Benjamin Narteh Ayiku, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), heads of security agencies, and other community representatives.
The visit is part of Mrs Ocloo’s tour of all 13 traditional councils in the Greater Accra Region, a programme aimed at enhancing dialogue and cooperation between government authorities and traditional leaders.
During the visit, the Paramount Chief highlighted several pressing challenges affecting the Teshie community, starting with the longstanding transport problem.
“We urgently need transport support,” he stated. “The Council has been struggling for years without a bus, and this affects our operations and community engagements. We are appealing to you, Honourable Minister, to help us acquire one.”
The Chief also raised concerns over electricity outages in parts of Teshie due to the absence of a functioning transformer.
“Our people are suffering because we have no functioning transformer,” he explained. “Businesses are affected, homes are affected, and the community is really struggling. We ask that you assist us in securing a new transformer so that electricity can be restored.”
Adding to the Council’s developmental concerns, Nii Ashitey Akomfra III drew attention to the abandoned landing beach project, which he described as a hazard to local fishermen.
“The landing beach was meant to be a blessing, but it has turned into a curse,” he said. “Canoes are being destroyed, and we have even lost lives. We plead with you, Honourable Minister, to help ensure the project is redesigned and completed so it can truly benefit our people.”
On security, the Chief urged authorities to increase police visibility in Teshie to reduce criminal activities and ensure residents feel safe.
“Security concerns in Teshie are increasing, and we need more police presence to curb criminal activities,” he said.
He also addressed wider chieftaincy disputes in Greater Accra, noting that only gazetted chiefs are legally recognised.
“In Greater Accra, almost every traditional area is contested,” he said. “But what matters is who the law recognises. The gazetted chief is the lawful chief. If anyone disagrees, they should go to the courts because that is where such matters must be resolved.”
Responding to the Chief’s appeals, Regional Minister Linda Ocloo announced that an anonymous benefactor had pledged to donate a bus to the Teshie Traditional Council by January next year.
“Regarding the traditional bus mentioned by our chief, while I was seated here, an individual who asked me not to disclose his identity said we should give him until January, by which time he will come and donate a bus to the Council,” she stated.
The Minister also reassured stakeholders that she would collaborate with the local MP and relevant government agencies, including the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Energy Ministry, to address the transformer shortage and restore power to affected parts of the community.
Mrs. Ocloo reiterated that her visits form part of her official mandate as Regional Minister, dispelling suggestions that her engagements should be halted due to contested chieftaincies.
“My intention is not to visit contested chiefs, but to visit the traditional councils in my capacity as Regional Minister,” she said, emphasising that her visits aim to foster dialogue, promote peace, and encourage cooperative development initiatives.
The visit provided a platform for extensive dialogue between the Regional Minister, traditional authorities, security heads, local government representatives, and other stakeholders. Key issues, including transport, electricity, security, and unfinished infrastructure projects, were discussed, with commitments made to address them collaboratively.
As the festive season approaches, Mrs Ocloo urged the Teshie Traditional Council and other regional councils to remain vigilant and report security concerns promptly, highlighting the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the community.
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