The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) today commenced a series of community engagement meetings to gather public input and prepare community action plans for the next Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2026–2029.

The initiative, which is rooted in the principles of planning, is being conducted in accordance with the National Development Planning (System) Act, 1994 (Act 480), the National Development Planning (System) Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2232), and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).

The Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for the period 2026–2029 is a strategic planning document to guide the city’s development efforts over a four-year period. It outlines key policies, programmes, and projects aimed at improving the social, economic, and infrastructural well-being of residents within the Assembly’s jurisdiction.

Speaking during the event held on Wednesday,  May 14, 2025, at the Korle Gonno community library in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District, Deputy Director Mr. Samuel Tutuani stated that the engagement would provide a platform for residents, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, and other interest groups to share their perspectives, ideas, and development priorities to shape the MTDP in a way that addresses the real needs of the community.

“Your voice is vital in shaping our future, and your participation will help ensure that our development plans are reflective of the needs of all community members,” he said.

He assured residents that their inputs would be integrated into the planning framework to ensure equitable resource allocation and targeted interventions that reflect the actual needs of the people.

The Director of Development Planning at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr. Richard Oduro, noted that the current plan, which spans 2022 to 2025, was due to expire on December 31,  2025, hence the need to prepare a new one to guide the Assembly’s development priorities for the next four years.

He emphasised that the planning process must be participatory, stressing the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

Mr. Oduro stated that the 2026–2029 plan would reflect the aspirations of the current government, particularly its agenda of creating job opportunities and ensuring prosperity for all, in line with the broader Resetting Ghana agenda being championed by the new administration.

He noted that challenges such as waste management, poor lighting systems, faulty traffic signals, and deteriorated road surfaces were among the key concerns raised during engagements and would be prioritised in the final plan.

He reiterated that continuous dialogue would be essential in fostering mutual understanding between the Assembly and the communities, ultimately helping to resolve longstanding development issues collaboratively and sustainably.

The Assembly Member for the New Mamprobi electoral area, Hon. Nathaniel Welbeck, raised strong concerns over the deplorable state of infrastructure and sanitation in his electoral area, calling on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the central government to take urgent action.

Speaking during a community engagement meeting organized by AMA to prepare the next Medium Term Development Plan (2026–2029), Hon. Welbeck highlighted several pressing issues, including the lack of drainage systems, choked gutters, widespread open defecation, and poor road conditions in communities such as Old Dansoman, Banana Inn, and I.B.E.

During the engagement, residents actively voiced their concerns and development priorities, which were subsequently ranked in order of importance to guide the planning process.

Sanitation and waste management emerged as the top priority, followed by traffic light improvements (2), road infrastructure (3), and security (4).

Other issues included poor drainage systems (5), inadequate lighting (6), limited health facilities (7), persistent open defecation (8), erosion (9), and the absence of recreational parks (10).

Present at the event were Assembly members, traditional leaders, heads of department at AMA, sub metro directors, staff of AMA and residents, among others.