Mr Samuel Addai Agyekum, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sekyere-Kumawu has been honoured for his outstanding contribution towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the district.
The award, which was presented by the International Award Agency (IAA) was in recognition of Mr Agyekums’ contributions toward the improvement of the socio-economic lives of the people in the district.
Dr Kwame Fordjour, Country Director of Global Public Excellency Awards, who presented the award at a ceremony at Kumawu, said Mr Agyekum had in the last three years, shown astute stewardship and greater commitment towards the attainment of the SDGs in the district.
He said upon a nationwide assessment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Sekyere-Kumawu achieved high marks of 90 per cent of commitment towards achieving the SDGs, especially in the areas of poverty alleviation, health, education and the environment.
“Key rural socio-economic development projects in various sectors such as health, agriculture, education, market development, tourism, among others, were areas of focus for the award”, Dr Fordjour pointed out.
He said the development of the market centres, stores and stalls in the Sekyere, Oyoko, Kumawu, among other communities, the establishment of health facilities such as the Dadease CHPS Compound, and the various schools and water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) infrastructures established in the various communities in the last three years, were some of the major reasons for the granting of the award to the DCE.
Dr Fordjour said the DCE’s ability and strategic capacity to engage various stakeholders such as chiefs, religious leaders, civil society organizations, NGOs and development partners in the district towards the sustainable development in the area, deserved high level of commendation.
“The award given to you this day is to showcase to the world that we value and acknowledge your contributions and efforts to the sustainable development of the Sekyere Kumawu District and the people of Ghana at large”, he stated.
Dr Fordjour urged all MMDCEs to up their efforts to the attainment of the SDGs especially in the rural and poverty-prone areas, where vulnerable families mostly lived.
Mr Agyekum thanked IAA for the award and said the achievement was possible through the collaborative efforts of the President of the nation, and the various local key stakeholders such as the local and regional government officials and the Assembly Members and the traditional, religious and development partners.
He thanked all the stakeholders for their collaboration and support to the development of the area and pledged to institute strong measures that would help promote and protect the sustainable socio-economic development of the area, devoid of corruption and self-gains.
SOURCE
GNA
