Memo to President Akufo-Addo of Ghana

Subject: Jomoro, a district dragged down by selfish local politicians

Date: June 30, 2017

Mr President,

It is with an aching and heavy heart that I pen you this memo.

I am saddened that as of June 30, 2017, today, you have not been able to place a district chief executive (DCE) in Jomoro District because your party’s (NPP’s) officials in the constituency and the district have failed to get their act together for the appointment of a DCE, apparently unmindful of the consequential socioeconomic holdback the district suffers. Please, note that this memo addresses two issues: delay in the appointment of DCE and delay in the elevation of the district to a deserving municipal status.

With a coastline of 61km out of the national figure of 550km, Jomoro alone provides some 11.1% of the national length. And with its particular shape and location, it is currently the repository of Ghana’s oil and gas industry, although ironically there is no reflection of this on-land in the district. Put more succinctly, without Jomoro the current oil and gas industry sourced from the sea below Jomoro would have belonged to the Ivory Coast.

I regret to say that with silly and selfish political bickering, and development disconnect and short-sightedness, the district has become the huge fecund elephant whose calf is dying of thirst and hunger.   

And permit me to draw your mind to a local government structural inequity that Jomoro District continues to be subjected to. By its size 1495 square km and a 2010 population of 150,107 (believed to be greater than recorded), Jomoro is far bigger than so many of the districts in this country that have municipal status. Coming home to the Western Region, you will note with some disquiet that only Sekondi-Takoradi (559,548) and Prestea-Huni Vally (159,304) are bigger in population than Jomoro. Tarkwa Nsuaem, Sefwi Wiaso and Nzema East are all municipalities when none of them has a population equal to that of Jomoro.

The accelerated socioeconomic development that the district experienced in 2001 to 2003 got stalled for five years after my pitiful removal from office because I refused to dabble in political corruption. The recent little progress made in the district is credited to the NDC which ironically has lost the district to the NPP in the 2016 general elections.

Mr President, it takes a long serious baseline assessment and planning for prudent development investment to be undertaken. And the delay in placement of a DCE is hurting the district badly. I have no doubt you fully appreciate the socioeconomic implications of the continued denial of the district its proper status. While I am embarrassed that my own people are blameable for the delay in the appointment of a DCE, I am persuaded to appeal to you to get your party’s Jomoro Constituency officials to expedite decision on nomination and appointment of a DCE for the district. Their over indulgence in choice politicking is depriving the district of progress. I am not sure how mindful they are of the political risk to you as president and leader of your party. But please, get them to act without further delay.

For the avoidance of doubt, I purpose by this letter for no political appointment of any sort from you or your government. I have only drawn your needed attention to a very important district whose affairs need your decisive intervention.

Thank you very much for your attention and the predictable prompt action from you. May God be with us!

Ketiboa Blay

No.1 Ketiboa Blay Village

Ezinlibo, Jomoro District, Western Region

Ketiboa Blay is a socioeconomic development management specialist with outstanding expertise in baseline research; community needs assessment, community development planning; and projects, programmes and policy technical review and evaluation. He has considerable expertise also in conflict resolution. As a non-denominational Christian evangelist, Mr Blay is also a peace-builder.