|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Christian Ahodie Yaw
Krachi West Municipality in the Oti Region, which for years struggled with stalled and abandoned infrastructure projects, is showing measurable signs of improvement less than a year after the appointment of a new Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Prosper Addo working in close collaboration with the Member of Parliament of the area, Helen Adjoa Ntoso.
An independent tour of selected project sites by our reporter across communities including Kete Krachi and adjoining settlements found ongoing and completed works in the health, education, water, security and energy sectors—many of which had remained unfinished under previous administrations.
Krachi West was carved out of the former Krachi District in 2004 under Legislative Instrument (L.I. 1755) as part of Ghana’s decentralisation agenda. Since then, development has been uneven, with several projects initiated but left incomplete due to funding gaps, administrative transitions and logistical challenges, according to Assembly records reviewed by the Voiceafricaonline.
In the health sector, at least three previously abandoned facilities inspected showed evidence of recent completion or near-completion, including staff accommodation and auxiliary units. At one facility, healthcare workers confirmed that the availability of nurses’ quarters has improved staff presence, particularly during night shifts, though challenges with medical equipment remain.
Water access has also improved in selected rural communities. Spot checks at mechanised boreholes in two deprived settlements showed functional systems supplying potable water to residents. However, community leaders interviewed stressed the need for maintenance plans to ensure long-term sustainability.
In education, newly constructed classroom blocks from Kindergarten to Primary Six were observed in use, easing congestion in schools that previously operated with makeshift structures. Teachers interviewed welcomed the development but noted persistent shortages of furniture and teaching materials in some schools.
Security infrastructure has similarly seen upgrades. An inspection of a newly constructed police post revealed modern facilities intended to improve response time and visibility of law enforcement in the municipality. Police sources indicated that while the structure is operational, staffing levels remain below recommended capacity.
Rural electrification efforts were evident in several communities visited, where electricity poles and household connections have recently been extended. Residents in these areas described the impact as “life-changing,” particularly for small businesses and evening economic activities.
Speaking to this reporter, some residents expressed cautious optimism. While welcoming the pace of current projects, they emphasised that previous administrations had also made similar promises that were not fully delivered. They called for consistent monitoring and completion of all ongoing works.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Prosper Addo, in an interview, attributed the recent progress to improved coordination between the Municipal Assembly, the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Helen Adjoa Ntoso, and central government. He assured that additional projects are at various stages of procurement and execution.
“Our focus is to complete what was abandoned and ensure new projects are aligned with the real needs of our people,” he said.
Assembly officials further indicated that priority is being given to underserved communities, though funding constraints remain a challenge.
While it is early to draw definitive conclusions, findings from this investigation suggest a shift from prolonged stagnation to renewed activity in Krachi West’s infrastructure landscape—one that residents say must be sustained to translate into lasting development outcomes.
Further monitoring of project delivery and impact in the municipality will continue.
