ADDRESS BY THE GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL MINISTER, HON LINDA OCLOO (MP) AT “THE MEET THE PRESS” ENCOUNTER HELD ON THURSDAY 28TH AUGUST, 2025 AT THE IMPARTILITY CONFERENCE HALL, RCC
Hon. Metropolitan, Municipal/District Chief Executives
Madam Chief Director
Metropolitan, Municipal/District Co-ordinating Directors
Distinguished Members of The Media
Stakeholders
Ladies And Gentlemen
Good Morning and thank you all for honouring my invitation to attend this engagement dubbed “Time with the Media”, an interactive platform designed to brief you on activities being undertaken in the Region.
I wish to also use this opportunity to thank you for your continuous support in this partnership to keep the public informed in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability.
You would recall that, at our last engagement, our Chief Executives had not yet taken office, so updates were given largely from the perspective of the Regional Coordinating Council. Now that the MMDCEs are fully in office, it is only prudent that they join me at this session to give account of what they have done and what they are doing in respect of the critical focus areas before us. This forms part of our “Reset Agenda,” where government officials and agencies are expected to meet the press to provide updates on their stewardship. This joint approach deepens transparency, strengthens accountability, and ensures that citizens hear directly from their local authorities.
Accordingly, our focus areas today will be on three key issues:
- The status of streetlights across the region,
- Progress made in sanitation management, and
- Measures regarding wrongly placed billboards and related regulatory enforcement.
However, I want to get straight to the point and say am extremely disappointed with the level of inefficiency and complacency being exhibited by many of our Chief Executives. At this stage, excuses are nothing but an embarrassment to the people we serve. Leadership is not about sitting in offices and enjoying the perks of your position but it is about delivering results, and right now, many of you are simply sleeping on the job.
- Streetlights Update
Streetlights are critical for safety, security, and the vibrancy of our communities. Since the last update, significant progress has been made with over 128 streets lighted in the phase I. It is my expectation to hear from our Chief Executives when they mount the stage to tell us what they have been doing in the phase II of this intervention. Lighting is not merely infrastructure; it is a matter of public safety, urban order, and a key enabler of the 24-hour economy being pursued by Government.
On our part, through our engagements with the Ministry of Energy, I am pleased to announce that we have secured 3,000 streetlights and every MMDA will receive 100 pieces.
Let me be clear, you have two weeks only to ensure that every single one of those lights is fixed. No excuses, no delays. I will personally monitor this directive, and let me serve notice, any Chief Executive who fails to comply will be exposed and reported. If you cannot manage this basic task, then you have no business occupying that office.
- Sanitation Update
The sanitation situation in this Region is unacceptable. Despite having every opportunity and even resources such as the sanitation component of the DACF, many Assemblies have simply refused to act. You have ignored the recruitment of young people to clean our streets and desilt our drains. What is the excuse? None. It is sheer negligence and disregard of your duty.
Sanitation is not a favour you are doing the people; it is a core responsibility. The stench, the filth, the choked drains are a reflection of your failure to lead. From this moment, your performance on sanitation will be under the strictest monitoring. The era of excuses is over. I will not hesitate to recommend the removal of non-performing Chief Executives. The people of Greater Accra deserve better, and they will get better, with or without you.
- Billboards and Other Concerns
Assemblies continue to look on while illegal billboards spring up everywhere, obstructing visibility and endangering lives. This carelessness is unacceptable. You must enforce the law without fear or favour. Do your job, or step aside for those who can.
And as for the theft of drain covers, I am shocked at the lack of seriousness in tackling this menace. Work with the Police, intensify surveillance, and take proactive measures. Stop waiting for instructions before acting. Leadership demands initiative, not laziness.
4.Personal Assistants (PAs) and Office Conduct
Let me address a disturbing trend that has reached my attention. Some of you have surrounded yourselves with Personal Assistants who have virtually taken over your official responsibilities. If you have decided to bring PAs, let it be clear: their role is strictly to help you organize your schedules, manage your time, and provide administrative support. They are not to write your official speeches, not to approve documents on GIFMIS, and not to represent you at official meetings.
This must stop immediately. Assemblies cannot be run by unelected, unappointed individuals hiding behind your authority.
Furthermore, I have reports that many of you have turned your official offices into party meeting grounds, filling them with party officials and visitors, while your staff, the very people you are supposed to lead are denied access to discuss official matters. This is an abuse of office, and it is unacceptable.
Let me sound this clear caution, no MMDCE is to attend any RCC meeting with their PAs. This practice ends now. If it continues, the individuals involved will face serious consequences.
5.Environmental Concerns – Ramsar Site & Laloi Lagoon
Another matter of grave concern is the reckless encroachment and destruction of environmentally sensitive areas. I am serving notice here and now: the RCC working with the relevant agencies will continue to embark on demolishing exercises at the Ramsar site to stop the illegal developments that are choking our wetlands and worsening our flooding situation.
Equally alarming is the filling of materials into the Laloi Lagoon in the Ningo-Prampram District. Let me be clear: this illegality must stop immediately. It is irresponsible, short-sighted, and a direct assault on environmental sustainability. The consequences of such actions are devastating — increased flooding, loss of biodiversity, and long-term environmental damage that no government can afford to ignore.
We will not countenance these activities any longer. Those responsible will be held accountable, and strict enforcement measures will be taken without fear or favour.
- Conclusion
Let me remind all Chief Executives here: your performance will be based on three clear areas, sanitation, streetlights, and enforcement of by-laws. These will be documented in my report to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and forwarded to the Presidency.
To the General public, I call on all residents to:
- Report faulty streetlights for quick action,
- Take responsibility for sanitation and avoid indiscriminate dumping,
- Stop mounting unauthorized billboards, and
- Assist security agencies in protecting public infrastructure.
I also wish to sound a caution to persons who steal metal gratings and covers and sell to scrap dealers, please you are warned to desist from this act, anyone caught will be severely punished and dealt with by law.
The people of this Region are tired of words, they want results, and they want them now.
