Takoradi, July 15, 2026 – The Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC) has held its First Regional Council Meeting for 2026, bringing together key stakeholders to review the region’s development agenda, assess the performance of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and deliberate on issues critical to the socio-economic transformation of the Western Region. he meeting, chaired by the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, brought together Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Presiding Members, President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsiah V and other representatives of the House of Chiefs, heads of decentralised departments and agencies, and other members of the Regional Coordinating Council
In his opening address, the Regional Minister stressed the need for strengthened collaboration, accountability and effective coordination among all stakeholders to accelerate development across the region. He urged members to remain committed to delivering quality services and ensuring that government policies and programmes continue to improve the lives of the people. A major highlight of the meeting was presentations by all 14 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, led by their respective Chief Executives, outlining development initiatives undertaken within their jurisdictions over the past six months. The presentations showcased progress in areas including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, sanitation, water supply, revenue mobilisation and local economic development.
While acknowledging the strides made by the assemblies, the presentations also revealed several challenges confronting the districts. Foremost among these was the persistent menace of illegal mining (galamsey), which emerged as a common concern across nearly all the assemblies. The Chief Executives observed that illegal mining continues to devastate the environment, pollute rivers and other water bodies, destroy farmlands and threaten the livelihoods of many residents, particularly those in rural communities whose survival depends largely on agriculture and other natural resources. Council members expressed concern over the growing impact of galamsey on the region’s development and underscored the need for intensified collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, security services and local communities to curb the illegal activity and protect the region’s natural resources.
The Regional Minister further called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to uphold transparency, accountability and prudent financial management while ensuring the timely implementation of development projects. He reiterated that collective effort and shared responsibility remain essential to achieving the government’s development objectives for the Western Region.
The meeting concluded with members reaffirming their commitment to deepening decentralised governance, promoting inclusive development and working together to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Western Region.
-Public Relations
