The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, reaffirmed government’s commitment to transparent governance, accountability and accelerated local development when he visited the Savelugu Municipality to participate in the Savelugu Municipal Assembly’s Accountability to the People Series and perform a number of official engagements aimed at advancing the Municipality’s development agenda.
The day’s activities commenced with a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Savelugu, the Yoo Naa, where the Regional Minister, accompanied by his entourage and led by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Savelugu, Hon. Alhassan Fuseini, paid homage to the traditional ruler at his palace. During the meeting, Hon. Ali Adolf John briefed the Yoo Naa on the purpose of the visit and outlined the day’s programme, which included the Accountability to the People Series, the commissioning of completed development projects and the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Savelugu 24-Hour Economy Market. He expressed appreciation to the traditional authorities for their continuous support in maintaining peace and creating an enabling environment for development across the Municipality.
The Yoo Naa welcomed the delegation and commended government for initiating the Accountability to the People Series, describing it as an important platform for strengthening transparency, promoting citizen participation and deepening public confidence in local governance. He assured the Regional Minister of the traditional council’s continued support for government programmes that seek to improve the living conditions of the people.
Following the courtesy call on the Yoo Naa, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for Savelugu, Hon. Alhassan Fuseini, the Member of Parliament, traditional authorities, Assembly Members and other stakeholders, officially commissioned the newly completed Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound at Pong to enhance access to quality primary healthcare for residents.
The delegation thereafter proceeded to perform the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Savelugu 24-Hour Economy Market. The flagship project, under President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy Agenda, is expected to stimulate local commerce, create sustainable employment opportunities, promote agribusiness, strengthen value chains and position Savelugu as a major commercial and economic hub in the Northern Region.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Ali Adolf John stated that the construction of the modern market demonstrates government’s resolve to create the infrastructure needed to support continuous economic activity and improve livelihoods. He urged residents to support the project and safeguard public infrastructure to ensure its long-term benefits for future generations.
The delegation later proceeded to the Savelugu Community Centre for the Accountability to the People Series, which brought together Assembly Members, heads of departments, religious leaders, political party representatives, development partners, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public. The programme forms part of the Resetting Ghana Agenda and provides Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies with a platform to account directly to citizens on the use of public resources and the implementation of development programmes.
In his remarks, the Regional Minister described accountability as the foundation of good governance and sustainable development. He commended the Savelugu Municipal Assembly for embracing the initiative and noted that transparency, prudent financial management and active citizen participation were essential ingredients for effective local governance. He further praised the Assembly for the remarkable progress recorded in infrastructure development and social interventions since the current administration assumed office.
Presenting the Assembly’s stewardship, Hon. Alhassan Fuseini explained that the Accountability to the People Series was in line with Chapter 20 of the 1992 Constitution, which promotes decentralisation and accountability within local government. He assured residents that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring that every public resource entrusted to it is utilised efficiently to improve the lives of the people.
The MCE disclosed that the Municipality has continued to enjoy relative peace through the collaborative efforts of the security agencies, traditional authorities, religious leaders and residents. He also reported that the Assembly had received over GH¢14.5 million from the District Assemblies Common Fund for development projects and statutory obligations, including allocations for Persons with Disabilities, all of which have been utilised in accordance with government guidelines and the Municipality’s development priorities.
Hon. Fuseini highlighted major achievements recorded in education, healthcare, water and sanitation, governance, road infrastructure and local economic development. He cited the construction of classroom blocks, CHPS compounds, mechanised boreholes, rehabilitation of health facilities, procurement of school furniture, renovation of administrative facilities, improvement of feeder roads and ongoing construction of a livestock kraal.
He further noted that sanitation interventions, including clean-up exercises, refuse evacuation, gutter desilting and increased household toilet coverage, have significantly improved environmental health across the Municipality, while sixteen communities have attained Open Defecation Free status.
The MCE further outlined achievements in social protection and agriculture, stating that the Assembly had provided educational assistance, business support and livelihood interventions to 136 Persons with Disabilities, facilitated NHIS registration and renewal for over 7,300 vulnerable residents, intensified anti-drug abuse sensitisation campaigns and expanded agricultural extension services to thousands of farmers under the Feed Ghana Programme. He also highlighted the registration of farmer cooperatives, promotion of modern farming techniques, irrigation development and livestock improvement programmes aimed at increasing food production and household incomes.
Hon. Fuseini also announced that 500 entrepreneurs had been enrolled onto the BizBox platform to support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He highlighted strategic partnerships that enabled the installation of 446 solar-powered streetlights across the Municipality, the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the construction of two waste treatment plants to convert waste into gas and electricity, and the ongoing implementation of seven GETFund-funded educational infrastructure projects. The programme ended with an interactive session during which residents commended the Assembly’s openness and welcomed the commencement of the 24-Hour Economy Market project, expressing optimism that the combined initiatives would accelerate economic growth and improve the quality of life in the Savelugu Municipality
