The Ningo Prampram District Assembly (NIPDA) has embarked on massive developmental projects which will eventually open up the place for socio-economic growth.
This became evident when The Chronicle undertook a familiarisation visit to the area over the weekend.
The assembly, which was carved out of the then Dangme West District in 2012 is currently blessed with an approximate population of 200,000 (two hundred thousand) people, according to the 2021 population census in Ghana.
Its administrative authority spans from the coast, east of Longitude Zero degree and stretches northward, where it shares common boundary with its mother assembly, now Shai Osudoku District.
The District, which by all standards has metamorphosed into a Municipality and is sandwiched between Ada East and Kpone Katamanso Assemblies, to the east and west respectively.
It is conducting the administrative activities from a new edifice, located not far from the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, between Dawhenya and Prampram.
Its Chief Executive, Al-Latiff Tetteh Amanor, who conducted this Reporter around, stated that the assembly, in finding an antidote to the snail-pace traffic on their section of the Tema-Aflao highway, decided to construct the coastal road from Akplabanya and Lerkpongunor through Old and New Ningo, Prampram, to link Kpone-On-Sea to the harbour.
According to the Chief Executive, the coastal link from the port would terminate at the trans-continental highway at either Dawa or Sege, the Ada East District capital.
The project is being constructed in phases and is being funded by the World Bank and Government of Ghana.
At the time of visiting the place last Friday, the contractors, I.B MEIGEDA were busy at work from the Laloi Lagoon, bordering Kpoeteh in Prampram and Kpone-On-Sea.
The Dawhenya side connecting Afienya is a 9km unfriendly road, which has been abandoned for years, was the next stop.
The good news is that, the contractor is back on the road and their challenges are being addressed, according to Al-Latiff.
He further stated that, the assembly was in talks with some partners for feasibility studies to be conducted for future construction of a by-pass from Tsopoli on the Tema-Aflao highway through Osuwem, to terminate at Asutsuare Junction on the Tema-Akosombo highway.
He continued that another negotiation at nearby Luom into the Dodowa-Somanya (Trom Junction) takes motorists to Adukrom on the Akuapem ridge and then Koforidua to Kumasi.
On the essence of that road, the Chief Executive opined that it would not only shorten the travel distance from Aflao to Kumasi and beyond, but also reduce considerably the traffic on the Tema enclave.
The next point of call was the construction sites of Court and Judge residence at Old Ningo.
He stated that in development, both citizens and investors must be assured of access to justice and for that matter it has become imperative for the siting of the modern disability friendly court building and the judge’s bungalow, which are ready to be handed over to the rightful authority.
The construction took the contractors fifteen weeks.
At the ongoing Agenda 111 site at Old Ningo, which is considered one of the largest in that category, the contractors, SHAPOONJI PALLONJI GHANA LIMITED, was emphatic that baring anything untoward, it would be completed and commissioned before the end of the year, according to the Site Engineer, Mr Ibrahim S. Kakgbo. The facility is now between 75-80% complete.
The hospital, which has been designed to serve as a referral point for health institutions both far and near, would be fitted with state-of-the art equipment.
The facilities include; ambulance bay, laboratories, physio/lecture hall, maternity ward and oxygen gas plant to be connected to all emergency sectors, as well as insulation for sound and heat proof.
Also present would be residential accommodation for doctors and nurses.
Back to the assembly, Al-Latiff stated that like every virgin establishment, the institution has had its share of frustrations until finally relocating to its present place, some six weeks ago.
According to him, though the structure was approved just like that of Sege and Kpone in 2013 by then President Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, for unexplained reasons, that of Ningo Prampram remain abandoned.
Later, the traditional authorities, who housed the assembly in its premises exerted pressure on them to vacate from the place.
He, therefore, reported to the higher authorities, a development that resulted in the contractor returning to the site.
Funds were subsequently released for the phase one, which has now been completed and is being used.
The phase two comprises of fence walls to secure it from intrusion, floor works on the compound, landscaping and the immediate surrounding road link.
As to the assembly’s sources of revenue, he noted that it was mainly from Business Operating Permit and Property Rates.
He concluded with highlights on NIPDA’s resolve to develop a database to broaden revenue collection.
