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The Assembly members for the Akatsi North District have unanimously confirmed Hon. Bless Kodjo Katamani as District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area.

The 49 year old Educationist polled 18 votes representing 100 percent of the votes, which indicated overwhelming endorsement of the President’s nominee for DCE.

The Presiding Member for the District, Hon. Patrick Kwame Ahiabu, prior to the confirmation, appealed to members to set the pace by being the first to confirm the President’s nominee for DCE position in the country.

“Hon. Members, all eyes, both locally and globally are on the Akatsi North as we take this significant step in governance. The President of the Republic is watching closely as we work to bring governance to the doorstep of the people,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Hon. Katamani gave the assurance that; he would serve with integrity, dedication and humility.

“I recognize the challenges that lie ahead, but also see great opportunities for growth and transformation. Together, we will prioritize education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and economic empowerment to uplift our people and create a prosperous District for all,” he said.

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, in his address, said confirmations of Municipal and District Chief Executives across the region was the “Reset” process of the Mahama-led-government.

He stressed the need for Assembly members across the Region to fast-track the confirmation of Chief Executives, noting that “Any attempt to delay the process is an attempt to delay the Reset Agenda.”

Residents in the Akatsi North District in the Volta Region, are admonished to desist from environmental practices to mitigate the impact of climate change in the District.

Dr. Portia Adade Williams, a Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who presented a report on rapid climate change for validation, called for behaviour change among residents to reverse the looming threat of climate change.

The report was based on a research conducted in some rural communities in the District.

Touching on some key findings of the research, Dr. Williams mentioned decline in water resources, dried up water bodies, decrease in underground water table, soil degradation, loss of soil moisture, soil erosion and nutrient depletion which negatively impacted the environment.

She added that changes in biodiversity habitat and ecosystems, decline in forest reserve, medical plants species and non-timber forest products crucial for local livelihood had heavy toll on women rather men.

She further noted that poor sanitation which resulted in cholera, increased temperatures which caused some heat related diseases, poor crop yields among others were the consequences of climate change.

She, therefore, appealed to residents to plant drought-resistant crops and trees, practice biodiversity as an effective adaptation measure, irrigation, water harvesting and re-used, sensitization and awareness creation to minimize the negative impact on the environment.

Dr. Williams recommended the strengthening of infrastructure, promotion of gender equity in resource access, diversifying livelihoods and improvement in agricultural practices.

She added that addressing the health and education needs of the people would help to build community resilience and said the research findings would be integrated into national policies and planning.

Madam Rubby Sitsope Besagah, the District Coordinating Director, said the Strengthening Investment in Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA) project was a five-year partnership programme between Cowater Ghana and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

She said it was intended to partner Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) to enhance climate adaptation investment.

Madam Besagah urged participants, especially women who were mostly affected by climate change to actively contribute to the validation process to ensure that the results in the findings truly reflected the situation in the District.

On March 06, 2025, the Akatsi North District in the Volta Region has modestly commemorated Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary celebration to reflect the directive from the Presidency.

The Ave Senior High School (AVESCO) cadet corp was the only contingent at this year’s independence parade, held at the forecourt of the District Assembly.

It was on theme: “Reflect, Review and Reset.”
Madam Rubby Sitsope Besagah, the District Co-Coordinating Director, in her address, called on workers in all sectors of the economy to contribute to nation-building as envisioned by the country’s forbearers.

She urged residents to reflect on the past, review the present and reset the future to transform the District and country as a whole.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Akatsi North Constituency, Dr Richard Awudza, the Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), noted that it was the first time in the history of Ghana that Independence Day was celebrated moderately to cut cost.

He reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s quest to reset the country and turn its fortunes around to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

He reaffirmed the words of the President to re-construct the Ho-Denu stretch of road to provide relief to commuters.

The occasion was chaired by the Paramount Chief of the Ave Dakpa Traditional Area, Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe V.

Other dignitaries at the event included Mama Megbeakor, Queen Mother of Dzita from Ave Dakpa, District Security Heads, Assembly Members, Political Party representatives, Heads of Departments and some members of the public.

The Akatsi North District in the Volta Region, has consistently recorded a decline in teenage pregnancy in two consecutive years.

The District recorded a decline from 12.23 per cent in 2023 to 9.79 per cent in 2024.

The achievement was as a result of effective collaborations between the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ghana Education Service (GES) and some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in the health sector.

Mr. Timothy Mahama Awentok, the District Director of the GHS, disclosed this at the 2024 Annual Performance Review meeting in Ave Dakpa, the District capital.

The review meeting was on the theme: “Strengthening Primary Health Care Service System for Improve Access to Quality health Service Delivery: The Role of Network of Practice.”

Mr. Awentok said the District Health Directorate in collaboration with the various health facilities across the District constantly held community engagements and provided sensitization on the negative impact of teenage pregnancy, education on adolescent health service, training on menstrual hygiene and reproductive rights among others.

He urged parents and teachers to mentor the Girl-Child to focus on their future dreams and not fall victim to any sexual advances from the opposite sex, especially some unscrupulous male adults.

The Director further highlighted some achievements including improved access and quality healthcare delivery, better resource allocation and workforce development and innovation.

He said there was mass distribution of treated mosquito nets in the District to reduce malaria cases, coupled with successful rounds of polio campaigns.

Mr. Awentok noted a decline in some indicators in Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), and said Penta 3 coverage reduced from 68 percent to 64 percent in 2024.

Measles Rubella 2 coverage reduced from 63 percent to 60 percent and another critical indicator that has seen decline was Family Planning from 37. 06 percent to 32.94 percent, he said.

He attributed the decline in childhood immunization to inadequate number of health professionals, hard-to-reach communities, especially during the rainy season among others.

The Director said tuberculosis coverage decreased from 56 percent to 51 percent from 2023 to 2024.

He called for the reactivation of non functional health management committees describing it as a critical tool to bridge some development gaps between the health professionals and community members.

He expressed concern about the refusal of some health professionals to accept postings to the District, and disclosed that 13 health professionals were posted to the District in the year under review, but only five out of the number reported.

According to him, all attempts to reach out to the remaining eight staff who declined to report, was unsuccessful, “We would like to appeal to the Assembly to provide incentives to attract and retain more critical staff in the District,” he said.

On the 4th of February, 2025, Madam Rubby Sitsope Besagah, the Akatsi North District Coordinating Director (DCD) in the Volta Region, has called for collaborative efforts among staff of the Assembly to increase revenue mobilization.

She noted that revenue collection was not the sole responsibility of the Budget and Planning Units of the Assembly, and emphasized the need for the support of other Units within the Assembly to boost its revenue targets.

She called for education, sensitization and interactions between Assembly officials, business entities and traders in the District to enable them appreciate the essence for the revenue collection.

Madam Besagah made the call at the 2025 maiden Assembly staff durbar to interact with staff and provide policy guidelines for the year.

She appealed to staff who resided within the jurisdiction of the Assembly to identify other revenue sources, and team up with the revenue collectors and strategize to boost the Assembly’s financial strength.

She expressed concern that some staff connived with the business community in the District to evade payment, and cautioned staff to desist from such unproductive and unpatriotic behaviour.

As management strategized to increase revenue this year, the DCD urged the Revenue Task Force and members of the Assembly to show resilience and “think outside the box” to achieve their target.

The DCD told the staff that management would support staff who would effectively mobilize revenue for the Assembly in the year.

She further advised officials to desist from absenteeism, lateness and complacency, as such acts negatively affected work output.

The District Budget Analyst, Madam Rita Antoinette Arko Dadzie, reported on the Assembly’s revenue mobilization over the past three years. She noted that there was an increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023, followed by a decline in 2024.

She attributed the drop to default in payment, and said defaulters would be prosecuted.

Madam Rubby Sitsope Besagah, the Akatsi North District Coordinating Director (DCD) in the Volta Region, has called for collaborative efforts among staff of the Assembly to increase revenue mobilization.

She noted that revenue collection was not the sole responsibility of the Budget and Planning Units of the Assembly, and emphasized the need for the support of other Units within the Assembly to boost its revenue targets.

She called for education, sensitization and interactions between Assembly officials, business entities and traders in the District to enable them appreciate the essence for the revenue collection.

Madam Besagah made the call at the 2025 maiden Assembly staff durbar to interact with staff and provide policy guidelines for the year.

She appealed to staff who resided within the jurisdiction of the Assembly to identify other revenue sources, and team up with the revenue collectors and strategize to boost the Assembly’s financial strength.

She expressed concern that some staff connived with the business community in the District to evade payment, and cautioned staff to desist from such unproductive and unpatriotic behaviour.

As management strategized to increase revenue this year, the DCD urged the Revenue Task Force and members of the Assembly to show resilience and “think outside the box” to achieve their target.

The DCD told the staff that management would support staff who would effectively mobilize revenue for the Assembly in the year.

She further advised officials to desist from absenteeism, lateness and complacency, as such acts negatively affected work output.

The District Budget Analyst, Madam Rita Antoinette Arko Dadzie, reported on the Assembly’s revenue mobilization over the past three years. She noted that there was an increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023, followed by a decline in 2024.

She attributed the drop to default in payment, and said defaulters would be prosecuted.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful development initiatives. As the Akatsi North District Assembly, in collaboration with the SIGRA Project, begins implementing key climate adaptation interventions, we recognize the importance of clear, inclusive, and responsive messaging to ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability.

In the first year of SIGRA implementation, we are focusing on drilling three mechanized boreholes and conducting feasibility studies for the renovation of the Ave Havi dam. These interventions are critical for improving water access and climate resilience in our communities. However, for these projects to succeed, all stakeholders—including local leaders, women-led organizations, and community members—must be well-informed and actively engaged.

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme is a flagship social protection initiative implemented by the Government of Ghana and its partners. It aims to alleviate extreme poverty by providing cash transfers to vulnerable households. The LEAP programme targets households with orphans and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities who are unable to work, and the elderly poor aged 65 years and above. Over the years, it has become necessary to reassess the LEAP programme to enhance the quality of service to beneficiaries.

In view of this, a meeting was convened on the 16^th and 17^th of January 2025 to discuss the reassessment of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in the Akatsi North District. The primary objectives were to engage the Reassessment Team, the District LEAP Implementation Committee (DLIC) and Community focal persons on the reassessment process, address challenges and ensure the programme’s alignment with its core mission of supporting vulnerable households.

The Akatsi North District Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing education within the district with the procurement and distribution of 150 hexagonal Kindergarten (KG) desks. This initiative aims to improve the learning environment for young learners, benefiting approximately 900 students across the district.

At a brief ceremony, the District Chief Executive (DCE) officially handed over the desks to the Education Directorate, emphasizing the Assembly’s dedication to quality education and the well-being of children in the district. Speaking during the event, the DCE highlighted that the provision of the desks is part of a broader strategy to address infrastructure gaps in basic education and support early childhood development.

The District Director of Education expressed gratitude to the Assembly for its continued support and commitment to improving educational outcomes. She noted that the new desks would provide a conducive and comfortable learning environment for the children, promoting effective teaching and learning at the KG level.

Community members and stakeholders present lauded the initiative, acknowledging its potential to contribute to the holistic development of children within the district.

This intervention is one of many initiatives undertaken by the Akatsi North District Assembly to prioritize education as a critical driver of development. The Assembly remains dedicated to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure every child has access to quality education in a safe and enabling environment.