Linda Akweley Ocloo, (5th from left in front) is the Greater Accra Regional Minister
Correspondence from Eastern Region
The Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku, Linda Akweley Ocloo, has reaffirmed her commitment to intensifying her cooperation with the Shai Osudoku District Assembly in driving sustainable development across the district.
During a working visit to the Assembly on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Hon. Ocloo, accompanied by the Chief Director at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Lilian Baeka, and other staff, engaged directly with the District Chief Executive (DCE), Ignatius Godfred Dodoe, District Coordinating Director, Dr. Elizabeth Ampau Delatsa, Assembly Members, technocrats, and staff of the Assembly.
The visit, held at Dodowa, was aimed at addressing key challenges and strengthening collaboration between the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the local authority.
“It is always a delight and a great pleasure to be with you… The purpose of this visit is to engage directly with you to appreciate at first-hand your challenges,” Ocloo stated, adding that her office remains open and accessible to support the Assembly in delivering development to the people.
The Minister announced the revival of the Regional Sanitation Day initiative and urged full participation from the Shai Osudoku District.
“Let us rally all residents to ensure a cleaner and healthier region. Collaboration with traditional authorities, civil society, and the private sector will be key,” she added.
Linda Ocloo stressed the urgent need to enhance street lighting in the district, citing recent concerns from the National Security Secretariat Council.
“Proper lighting improves visibility, deters crime, and boosts night-time economic activity. Shai Osudoku should lead by example,” she stated.
She emphasized strict compliance with the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) guidelines, warning against delays or misuse of the fund.
She cautioned: “Any deviation undermines decentralization. Staff who frustrate the process will be dealt with.”
The Minister expressed concern over persistent audit infractions in Assemblies and called for stronger internal controls, emphasizing that, “Transparency and accountability must remain at the heart of our governance.”
Commending the Government’s provision of allowances to Assembly Members, the Regional Minister labelled it a major step in strengthening decentralization and enhancing grassroots governance.
As both Regional Minister and MP for the area, Linda Ocloo urged for better collaboration between political leaders and technocrats.
She called for transparency regarding NGO interventions and cautioned against unauthorized staff transfers within the district.
“All movements and assignments must follow due process. Irregular transfers shall be deemed null and void.”
DCE Highlights Challenges and Progress
On his part, the District Chief Executive, Ignatius Godfred Dodoe, acknowledged the Minister’s visit as timely and outlined several pressing challenges facing the Assembly.
“When we took over this Assembly a few months ago, we were confronted with major challenges, including a total of GH¢1.9 million debt in unpaid contracts and GH¢1.4 million debt in terms of goods and services, non-payment of SSNIT contributions, and grounded vehicles. We inherited an empty account,” said the Assembly chief.
Despite the challenges, he said the Assembly has made significant progress by resuming SSNIT payments, clearing salary arrears, repairing two official vehicles, and restoring some essential operations.
However, Dodoe also highlighted ongoing constraints, including a lack of furniture and computers for staff, inadequate vehicles, structural defects in Assembly offices and education blocks, which he described as potential hazards.
He, however, asserted that with the necessary tools, support, and cooperation, he would successfully lead the Assembly in the discharge of its duties.
The Minister and the team, after the meeting, took a familiarization tour of the Assembly premises to assess the situation.
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