The Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly has held its first town hall meeting for 2025, aimed at gathering public input for the formulation of the municipalityโs medium-term development plan.
The well-attended meeting, which took place at the Municipal Assembly Hall, brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional authorities, assembly members, opinion leaders, civil society representatives, and residents.
Discussions focused on key developmental priorities such as healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure, and securityโissues critical to the municipalityโs growth and the welfare of its people.
Addressing the gathering, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Sebastian Obeng, underscored the importance of community participation in shaping the assemblyโs policies and development agenda.
He noted that such engagements are vital to promoting inclusiveness and public trust, adding that they allow residents to contribute ideas, seek clarifications, and hold local authorities accountable.
โIt is in the spirit of transparency and accountability that this community engagement has been organized to offer proper clarification and set the records straight on some deliberate falsehood and wicked lies being peddled on radio stations and social media,โ the MCE stated.
Mr. Obeng addressed recent allegations circulating in the media suggesting that the Assembly had misused its share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).
He described the claims as baseless and misleading, assuring the public that the funds remain intact.
โAs of 30th August 2025, the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly has received GHยข6,463,428.40 from the DACF Secretariat for both the first and second quarters. This figure was provided to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government when we appeared before them. Anyone in doubt is free to verify this amount from the DACF Secretariat,โ he said.
The MCE further explained that in compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2023 (Act 663) as amended, and the DACF 2025 guidelines, the Assembly advertised several projects in the Ghanaian Times on August 25, 2025, for competitive tendering.
These include: Construction of a CHPS Compound with a 2-bedroom accommodation facility, Construction of a 6-unit classroom block with office, store, girlsโ changing room, and a 4-seater toilet facility; and Drilling and mechanization of nine (9) community boreholes with overhead tanks.
He revealed that the tender opening took place on September 25, 2025, with a five-member evaluation panel set up to review submissions and report back by October 10, 2025.
He assured stakeholders that the funds would only be disbursed after all due processes were completed.
โFrom the foregoing, I must state unequivocally that the Assembly has not yet expended its share of the GHยข6,463,428.40 received from the DACF. I entreat all well-meaning citizens to disregard the fake news that the funds have been depleted through embezzlement or misappropriation. The money is safely lodged in the Assemblyโs accounts and will be used solely for its intended purpose,โ he assured.
Touching on the Assemblyโs Internally Generated Fund (IGF), the MCE disclosed that as of August 30, 2025, a total of GHยข3,324,110.11 had been mobilized.
He said this reflected the Assemblyโs determination to strengthen local revenue collection and improve financial management.
Mr. Obeng reiterated his dedication to upholding integrity and collaboration since assuming office on April 14, 2025.
โSince my confirmation as MCE, I have run a transparent and accountable administration, working with all key stakeholders to attract development projects and investments to improve the lives of our people,โ he said.
He dismissed attempts by detractors to politicize the Assemblyโs work, stressing that no amount of propaganda or distraction would derail his focus on delivering President John Dramani Mahamaโs โresetting agenda.โ
โNo amount of deliberate propaganda, malicious representation, baseless allegations, or political distraction will break my resolve to execute His Excellency President John Dramani Mahamaโs resetting agenda to take this Assembly to a higher pedestal,โ he declared.
Mr. Obeng urged the public to disregard misleading information and rely on official communication from the Assembly for accurate updates.
On his part, the Member of Parliament for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency, Bright Asamoah Brefo, commended the MCE for his proactive leadership and called on residents to support President Mahamaโs vision of resetting Ghanaโs development agenda.
He also took time to explain how the District Assembly Common Fund is disbursed, stressing the need for transparency and efficient use of public resources.
The Member of Parliament for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Bright Asamoah Brefo, outlined major achievements within his first eight months in office during a community engagement meeting organized by the Municipal Assembly.
In the health sector, he said a 50KVA generator had been donated to the Sefwi Bekwai Hospital to solve power challenges, over 4,000 people benefited from free eye screening with 600 surgeries successfully done, and support was given to patients with critical conditions.
He also revealed that the construction of a CHPS Compound at Subri Nkwanta will soon begin.
On education and infrastructure, Mr. Brefo noted that 20,000 exercise books and pens had been distributed to JHS students, while funding had been secured to complete abandoned school projects.
He further disclosed that the establishment of a DVLA office in Bibiani is at an advanced stage and that road reshaping and electricity restoration works have begun in several communities.
The MP also highlighted the success of the first-ever Bibiani Independence Festival, which promoted culture, sports, and tourism, and announced plans to secure a sustainable mining site for the youth.
He assured residents of transparency and accountability in his work and pledged to continue partnering with the Municipal Chief Executive to drive development in line with President John Dramani Mahamaโs vision of inclusiveness and transformation.
Adding a grassroots perspective, Joseph Appiah, Assembly Member for the Sefwi Adiembra Electoral Area, praised the MCE for educating residents on the utilization of both the IGF and the Common Fund.
He urged the public to stay informed and to participate actively in monitoring projects to ensure accountability.
The meeting concluded with an interactive session where participants raised concerns, made suggestions, and pledged their commitment to collaborate with the municipal authorities to drive development.
Stakeholders agreed that such engagements are vital in building trust and fostering collective responsibility in shaping the municipalityโs future.
The Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal Assembly is expected to incorporate the views expressed at the town hall meeting into its Medium-Term Development Plan, which will guide policy direction and project implementation over the next few years.
