The Savelugu Municipal Assembly has formally inaugurated its Unit Committees and Zonal Councils at a colourful ceremony held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Municipal Assembly Hall in Savelugu, marking a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance and participatory democracy in the Municipality.
The event brought together Traditional Authorities, Assembly Members, newly inaugurated Unit Committee and Zonal Council Members, Heads of Departments, Security Agencies, members of the media, and other key stakeholders in local governance.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Alhassan Fusieni, emphasized that the operationalization of Unit Committees and Zonal Councils is critical to the effective functioning of the local government system, as these structures form the foundation of decentralization and serve as the closest link between government and the people.
According to the MCE, previous efforts to revive the sub-district structures were hampered by inadequate logistics and staffing. However, he assured stakeholders that the Municipal Assembly, under the leadership of the Municipal Coordinating Director, has resolved to provide the needed support to ensure their effectiveness. He announced that Zonal Councils would be equipped with office furniture, printers, laptops, and other essential logistics, while staff of various categories would be posted to man the Councils and provide technical support.
Hon. Fusieni referenced Section 15(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which empowers District Assemblies to delegate functions to sub-structures, and Legislative Instrument (L.I. 1967), which outlines the mandates of Unit Committees and Zonal Councils. He outlined key responsibilities of the newly inaugurated members, including organizing communal labour, supporting revenue mobilization, promoting environmental sanitation, supervising Assembly staff at the local level, and initiating self-help development projects.
He further noted that the sub-structures are expected to support agencies such as the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in civic education, assist the Births and Deaths Registry in community registrations, and help enforce Assembly bye-laws within their jurisdictions.
Touching on planning and budgeting, the MCE stressed that development planning begins at the community level. He explained that Unit Committees and Zonal Councils are required to prepare local and zonal development plans as inputs into the Municipal Medium-Term Development Plan, mobilize resources, and monitor and evaluate projects. He described the sub-structures as vital platforms for community dialogue and the articulation of local development needs.
Hon. Fusieni also cautioned against conflicts between sub-district structures and Traditional Authorities, noting that Chiefs have historically played significant roles in community mobilization and governance. He urged Unit Committee and Zonal Council Members to accord Chiefs and religious leaders the utmost respect and to work collaboratively with them to promote development. He expressed appreciation to Nanima and other Traditional Authorities for their presence at the ceremony.
The MCE identified key stakeholders in local governance as the Municipal Chief Executive, Assembly Members, Zonal Councilors, Traditional Authorities, Development Partners, and the general public, and urged the newly inaugurated members to regard these stakeholders as partners whose support is essential for effective service delivery.
He announced that the Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, would organize periodic refresher training workshops to build the capacity of the members. Additionally, he disclosed that the Assembly would continue to cede 50 percent of its internally generated revenue to the Zonal Councils to support their operations and local development initiatives.
On sanitation, Hon. Fusieni emphasized the importance of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and encouraged communities to champion household toilet construction towards achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. He pledged the Assembly’s readiness to partner with communities, Zonal Councils, and development partners to achieve this goal.
The MCE also expressed concern over the growing incidence of drug abuse, particularly the misuse of tramadol, popularly known as “Tramoor,” which he said is destroying the youth and eroding social values. He announced that the Assembly, in collaboration with security agencies, would intensify unannounced operations to combat the menace and called on Unit Committee and Assembly Members to be vigilant and support the fight at the community level.
He concluded by urging all members to discharge their duties with transparency, integrity, and accountability to win the trust of their constituents.
The ceremony ended with the formal inauguration of the Savelugu Zonal Council, Diare Zonal Council, Pong Tamale Zonal Council, Moglaa Zonal Council, and all Unit Committees within the respective zones.
