By: Edwin Gogu
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for West Gonja, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro, on September 24, 2025, has presented his maiden report at the 1st Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the 2nd Session of the 9th Assembly, held at the Assembly’s Conference Hall in Damongo.
Addressing assembly members, traditional leaders, heads of departments, security agencies, and other stakeholders, Hon. Castro expressed gratitude for the overwhelming 100 percent support he received during his confirmation as MCE. He pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to drive the municipality’s development in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
In his report, Hon. Castro outlined two major government flagship programs being rolled out in the municipality; The Damongo Daily Market has been earmarked to pilot the 24-hour economy model, a campaign promise by President John Dramani Mahama. The market will be walled and fitted with two exits, a security post, a fire station, a pharmacy, and streetlights to ensure safety and support round-the-clock trading. The project design has been completed and will soon go to tender.
He noted that under The Feed Ghana Project, to boost food security and create jobs, the government will support land preparation, farm inputs, and marketing of farm produce. Institutions are mandated to establish farms of at least five acres in maize, rice, soya, or tree crops. Proceeds will form part of their internally generated funds. The MCE urged all stakeholders to prepare themselves to embrace the intervention.
Hon. Castro commended chiefs and elders for their cooperation in resolving chieftaincy disputes that once threatened peace in the municipality. He, however, raised concern about frequent motor accidents in the area. To curb the menace, the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC), in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority and the Police Service, intensified enforcement leading to the arrest of riders without helmets and unlicensed vehicles.
He cautioned leaders against interfering with law enforcement when such measures are introduced, stressing that compliance with the law was critical for public safety.
The MCE further highlighted the successful celebration of three Damba festivals at the Busunuwura’s Palace (Busunu Damba), Damongowura’s Palace (Damongo Damba), and Japka Palace, describing them as peaceful and incident-free. He thanked security agencies for their vigilance and swift response to threats.
The Assembly projected GH¢870,920.00 as Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for the 2025 fiscal year. As of August 30, 2025, it had mobilized GH¢536,618.02, representing 61.62 percent of the target. Hon. Castro expressed optimism that the target would be achieved by year’s end if mobilization is intensified.
To reduce leakages, the Assembly is piloting the use of Point of Sale (POS) devices, mobile phones, and merchant sims for automated revenue collection. This, he explained, will ensure accountability and efficiency.
The MCE also revealed plans to protect school lands along major roads by constructing boundary stores, which would also generate additional revenue for the Assembly.
Hon. Castro disclosed that the construction of a modern livestock (cattle) market at Busunu under the Ghana Secondary City Support Project has stalled due to government restructuring but will soon resume. The facility is expected to create jobs and boost revenue.
He further announced that the Damongo Saturday Market is nearing official opening after a committee comprising assembly members, technocrats, market queens, and traditional authorities completed its work. The new market is expected to improve safety and significantly increase the Assembly’s revenue base.
“I am very optimistic that with the support and cooperation from stakeholders, we shall overcome the challenges and generate the needed revenues to pursue our development agenda,” he said.
