On Tuesday 19th March 2024 the newly elected District Chief Executive Hon. Innocent Lynford Kwasi Tetteh led a five-member team which consisted of four officers from the District Assembly on a familiarization tour to some selected departments in the district, respectfully;
- Mr Setsoafia Kpenu (District Coordinating Director)
- Mr Ebenezer Afriyie- Boadi (District Budget Analyst)
- Mr Mohammed Abu Shiraz (District Planning Officer)
- Madam Melina Saah Obuobi (Assistant Director IIB)
The team visited seven (7) departments which were Customs Division, Dabala, Sogakope District Hospital, District Health Directorate, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Ambulance Service, Electoral Commission and Information Centre and had an interaction with them.
During the visits, the District Coordinating Director introduced the newly elected District Chief Executive and his team to the staff of the various departments. The staff of the departments also introduced themselves to the team. After every introduction, the District Chief Executive expressed his gratitude to the staff for hosting him and his team.
The team’s first destination was the Customs Division, Dabala Junction. The team met the officer in charge of the Eastern Corridor Monitoring Team, Mr Dari Abdallah and his officers. He informed the team that the warehouse was full of Indian herbs and pleaded with the District Chief Executive to help facilitate the meeting of these institutions thus the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to pave the way for the burning of the Indian herbs. He mentioned that they were unable to store ceased goods because their warehouse was full. Mr. Dari Abdallah also informed the team that his outfit had a good relationship with the community and even had a sensitization programme with the Vume community. The District Chief Executive gave a short message and assured the officers that their concerns would be taken into consideration.
The second department the team visited was the Sogakope District Hospital. After the introduction, the Medical Superintendent Mr Richard Forson and some key selected staff also introduced themselves. The Medical Superintendent mentioned that the maternity ward was a major challenge. He said most areas close to the District refer their maternity cases to them and the maternity ward is small to accommodate the patients. He mentioned that some women deliver on the floor as a result of the beds not being enough. He solicited for support to enable the hospital to paint the building. He added that the dialysis machine had not started operating as a result of the hospital waiting on the second dialysis machine. He stated that if the second dialysis machine is procured it would lower the cost of dialysis when the dialysis centre starts operating. The Medical Superintendent and his staff took the team around the hospital wards to observe some of the challenges for themselves.
After the District Hospital, the District Chief Executive and his entourage proceeded to the District Health Directorate. The District Health Director Madam Mavis Agumeh informed the team that the district had two (2) hospitals, a CHPS compound and health centres. He further mentioned that one of the health facilities had a fire outbreak as a result of wrong wiring at Kpotame. The motorbikes they had were not enough and some kept breaking down and pleaded with the District Chief Executive to help them acquire more motorbikes. Another challenge was that the conference room in their outfit was not big enough to accommodate a large number of people.
The next departments the team visited were the District Ghana National Fire Service and Ghana Ambulance Service. The District Fire Service officer Mr John Baaretin informed the District Chief Executive that their operations office (administrative block) was not in good shape. The District Chief Executive assured them that their challenges would be given due consideration in other to make their operations office conducive. The District Ambulance Officer Mr Matthias Akorli also informed the team that they had no office and had taken one of the fire service rooms to serve as their changing room and office as well. The officer notified the team that the speed rumps on the Sogakope-Ho stretch are a lot and are a challenge when transporting patients during emergencies.
The District Chief Executive and his team members visited the District Electoral Commission office. The District Chief Executive thanked the head of the Electoral Commission, Madam Charlotte Koduah -Adom for the work done during his confirmation. Madam Charlotte Koduah-Adom informed the District Chief Executive that their staff strength was three (3) and added that during the rainy seasons they had to relocate to a different office until it stopped raining. This was because the rainwater came into their office. Madam Charlotte Koduah-Adom also indicated that her department lacks office furniture and amenities that will help facilitate their work and enhance their performance. The District Chief Executive told them he just resumed office so he would consider and address their challenges appropriately.
The last place of visit was the information Service Department. Madam Nancy Dogbe the head of the Information Service Department said their outfit lacked a fan, computer, printer and furniture.
In all, the team visited seven (7) departments in the South Tongu District and they all appealed to the District Chief Executive to support their outfits to improve upon their work and to aid development in the district.
The District Chief Executive told the various departments that their problems had been taken into consideration and assured them that their challenges would be addressed.