The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Krachi East, Hon. Safo Nketia, has praised the work of Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee, describing its oversight engagement as objective and inspiring.
The MCE made the observation in an interview with parliamentnews360.com on the sidelines of the Committee’s sittings to consider the Annual Audit Statements of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The exercise, which began on Monday, September 15, 2025, is aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency across local governance structures.
“My first impression about our engagement here has been wonderful. This kind of engagement opens us up and keeps us on our toes. It makes you know you must do what is right because you can be called at any given time to account for your stewardship. So, from the Committee today, I am very impressed. They are very objective in everything that is being asked there,” Hon. Nketia remarked.
Health Challenges
Highlighting some pressing challenges in the municipality, Hon. Nketia lamented the lack of a hospital in Krachi East, the regional capital of Oti, a situation he says has led to preventable deaths.
“None of the communities around us is less than 10 kilometers away, so you spend more than an hour getting to the next hospital. Because of the distance, some preventable deaths have occurred. Anytime there is a health challenge, you have to travel long distances, and sometimes getting a vehicle is difficult,” he stated.
He revealed that the Assembly has taken steps to improve the situation by putting up projects to support the health center, but emphasized that the absence of a doctor remains a critical gap.
“Because we don’t have a doctor, when someone is in a critical condition and needs oxygen, we cannot provide it. Fortunately, when the President was climaxing his Thank You tour, he assured us that he would put in the necessary measures under the Big Push agenda for us to have a befitting regional hospital. But even as we wait, if something could be done to upgrade our health center as the regional capital, it would go a long way to save lives,” he appealed.
Tourism and Economic Opportunities
Hon. Nketia also underscored the municipality’s potential for economic growth through tourism and trade.
“We have a very large market and are exploring lake-related activities such as fishing and boating to attract visitors. Our vast forests, mountainous areas, and waterfalls could become key tourist attractions if properly developed,” he said.
Bridge Construction to Dambai
Touching on infrastructure, the MCE stressed the importance of the proposed bridge linking Krachi East to Dambai, calling it a “lifeline” for the municipality and the northern corridor.
“If the bridge is constructed, travel from our area to Tamale will be much easier. We saw the zeal with which the President wanted to fulfill that promise, but the unfortunate helicopter crash that claimed the lives of key stakeholders stalled the process. Now that surveys have been completed, we are hopeful construction will soon begin,” he stated.
Legacy Projects
Hon. Nketia disclosed that the Assembly has targeted nine legacy projects, four of which have been completed.
“We have completed the health center, renovated teachers’ bungalows, cladded some school structures, and rehabilitated the Zonal Council building. The remaining projects have gone through the procurement process, and contractors are currently on site working on them,” he revealed.
The MCE expressed optimism that these developments, when completed, will transform Krachi East into a vibrant municipal hub with improved social services and economic prospects.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
