The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region, Frank Nkansah, has made a strong appeal for contractors working on new government projects within the municipality to prioritise the recruitment of skilled local youth.

Speaking during the sod-cutting and official handover of sites for multiple infrastructural projects, Mr. Nkansah emphasised the need for contractors to employ labour directly from the communities where the projects are being executed.

“We have already discussed with the contractor to look for labourers in the immediate environment of the respective projects.

We believe that Ablekuma Central Municipality has enough skilled labour that the contractors could leverage,” he stated.

He explained that employing local youth would not only reduce unemployment but also promote community ownership of the projects.

The MCE directed Assembly representatives to identify and recommend capable young artisans from their electoral areas to support the works.

The development package for Ablekuma Central includes:

A three-storey facility of open stalls, shops and offices, plus drainage and external works at Shukura Market

A two-storey six-unit classroom block with offices at New Abossey Okai Basic School

A three-storey maternity, dentistry, eye care and administration block at Laterbiokorshie Polyclinic

Renovation of a 12-unit classroom block at Salvation Army School

Drilling and mechanisation of 22 boreholes

A state-of-the-art AstroTurf and ancillary facilities

According to Mr. Nkansah, the initiatives reflect the commitment of the current administration to ensure fair and widespread infrastructural development aimed at improving living standards.

He appealed to community leaders to support the Assembly to ensure the successful and timely completion of the projects.

“We are in a hurry to ensure Ablekuma Central develops,” he said, acknowledging that limited consultation preceded the planning stage but assuring stakeholders that the projects serve the best interests of the municipality.

The MCE further disclosed that funding for all the projects has already been secured through the District Assemblies Common Fund, and urged contractors to adhere strictly to project timelines.