Author: Special Investigative Squad (SiS)
Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly has made an impressive leap on Ghana’s 2025 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table (PFMCLT), moving from the 145th position in 2024 to the 68th position in the latest national rankings.
On paper, the improvement appears to signal stronger compliance with public financial management standards and better administrative performance.
However, aggrieved residents further present a strikingly different narrative, one that raises critical questions about whether improvements in institutional compliance are translating into meaningful development for the constituency.
A community engagement which sampled opinions from residents across different communities within the constituency, found widespread dissatisfaction with several aspects of governance and public service delivery.
One of the most recurring concerns relates to healthcare. Residents questioned why the Gbegbeyise Polyclinic, reportedly completed under the previous administration, remains locked and non-operational despite persistent healthcare needs within the municipality.
An angry pregnant woman from Shiabu narrated her frustration with having to commute from the beach road to the Dansoman Polyclinic where she goes for her reviews.
Many constituents argued that a completed health facility should not remain inaccessible while residents continue to struggle for quality healthcare services.
Infrastructure also emerged as a major source of frustration.
They pointed to deteriorating roads across sections of the municipality, malfunctioning traffic lights at key intersections, and the absence of street lighting in several communities.
According to participants, these long-standing issues continue to inconvenience motorists, increase accident risks, and expose residents to insecurity at night despite the campaign promises of the MP.
Youth concerns were equally pronounced. Several young people around the Karikari AstroTurf Park, who requested anonymity, expressed disappointment over what they described as the commercialization of a public recreational facility.
They alleged that the AstroTurf, originally intended as a community asset, has effectively been handed over to a private operator who keeps the facility locked and only allows access upon payment of rental fees.
According to them, this arrangement has deprived many young people of affordable access to sports and recreational activities.
Perhaps the most politically significant finding from this recent media engagement with residents concerns allegations of strained relations between the leadership of the municipality.
Across multiple groups, there were persistent claims of growing tension between the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Member of Parliament (MP), with many attributing the slow pace of development to an apparent lack of cohesion between the two offices.
They also highlighted concerns surrounding the election of the Presiding Member of the Municipal Assembly.
According to respondents, two consecutive attempts to elect a Presiding Member have ended unsuccessfully.
During the latest attempt, they alleged that confusion broke out during the proceedings, resulting in the ballot box being deposited at the Dansoman Police Station.
Several staff of AbWMA who spoke in an interview further alleged that the MCE and two other assembly members have opposed the candidature of Hon. Mike Bannerman-Hull, whom they described as the preferred choice of the majority of assembly members.
According to those interviewed, opponents reportedly believe he enjoys the backing of the MP and could frustrate the MCE’s administration if elected.
Beyond the individual issues raised, it appears the challenges point to a broader governance concern which will be published in the sequel of this publication.
