REPUBLC OF

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

2016 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

FEBRUARY, 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENT Page List of abbreviation Executive Summary ………………………………………………………………………………1 CHAPTER ONE……………………………………………………………………………………2 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 Purpose for M&E for the year 2016 ……………………….……………………………………...2 Processes Involved and Difficulties Encountered……………………………………………...3-4 Status of Implementation of Medium term Development Plan – 2014-2017…………………4- 8 CHAPTER TWO ……………………………………………………………………………………9 MonitoringAnd Evaluation Activities Report…………………………………………………….....9 Programme/Project Status for the year………………………………………………………...9-15 Update on Receipts From Funding Sources…………………………………………………16-18 Update on Disbursement………………………………………………………………………18-19 Update on Indicator and Targets………………………………………………………………19-23 Update on Critical Development and Poverty Issues……………………………………...... 24 Academic Performance ………………………………………………………………………24-28 Capitation Grant………………………………………………………………………………...... 28 Community Based Training ……………………………………………………………………29-30 Agriculture ……………………………………………………………………………………….31-33 Health Education and Screening of Food Vendors ……………………………………………..33 Pushing and Levelling of Refuse Dump Sites ...... 33-34 Hygiene Education and Clean Up Campaigns ...... 34 School Feeding Programme…………………………………………………………………34-35 Youth Employment Agency ...... 35-36 Support to People With Disability ...... 37 Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Expansion Programme ...... 37 National Health Insurance……………………………………………………………………38-39 Health ………………………………………………………………………………………….39-42 Capacity Building Programme …………………………………………………………………42 Evaluation and Participatory Monitory and Evaluation……………………………………43-44 Newmont Akyem Development Fund (NAkDeF) ...... 44-45 CHAPTER THREE………………………………………………………………………………..46 The Way Forward…………………………………………………………………………………46 Issue Addressed and Those yet to be Addressed ……………………………………………..46 Street Naming and Property Addressing (SNPA) Exercise ...... 46 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………...46-47

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

MTDP Medium Term Development Plan

DMTDP District Medium Term Development Plan

LI Legislative Instrument

NDPC National Development Planning Commission

RPCU Regional Planning Co-ordinating Unit

M/E Monitoring and Evaluation

JICA Japanese International Co-operation Agency

GETFUND Ghana Education Trust Fund

DANIDA Danish International Development Agency

CBRDP Community Based Rural Development Project

DPCU District Planning And Co-ordinating Unit

DACF District Assembly Common Fund

CSOs Civil Society Organisations

CBOs Community Based Organisations

MOFA Ministry Of Food And Agriculture

GHS Ghana Health Service.

GES Ghana Education Service

MCA Millennium Challenge Accounts

GPRS II Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy II

BECE Basic Education Certificate Examination.

GSGDA II Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda II NAkDeF Newmont Akyem Development Fund YEA Youth Employment Agency PWD People With Disability CDD Centre for Democratic Development LEAP Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty SNPA Street Naming and Property Addressing

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The production of this document - Annual Progress Report (APR) is based on the assessment of progress made in the implementation of projects and programmes outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan for the period 2016. The Annual Progress Report for the period (i.e. 2016) has been prepared from the assessment of the status of indicators and targets for monitoring and evaluating the achievements and impact of the major projects and programme interventions under taken during the period under review.

The objectives of the Annual Progress Report for the year 2016 are to:

. Provide a single source of information on progress the District is making through the implementation of the Medium Term Development Plan. . Identify the gaps and attempt to assign reasons that hindered the smooth achievement of the objectives of the MTDP. . Propose recommendations for addressing the shortcomings. The Annual progress Report (2016) submitted by the Birim North District Assembly is divided into three chapters.

The first chapter presents the purpose of the M & E for the year, 2016, processes involved and difficulties encountered in the preparation of the document and status of implementation of the DMTDP (2014 - 2017).

Chapter two deals with the programmes and projects status for the year, update on disbursements from funding sources, update on indicators and targets, update on critical Development and Poverty Issues, and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation.

Chapter three covers key issues addressed and those yet to be addressed and recommendations.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

The Birim North District was carved out of the former Council in 1987 as part of the government’s decentralization programme to promote effective decentralized governance and speed up the development of the area. It has as its capital. After was carved out of the Birim North District, its estimated total land area reduced significantly from 1270 square kilometers to 550 square kilometres. The population of Birim North District, according to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, is 78,907 representing 3.0 percent of the region’s total population. Males constitute 50.2 percent and females represent 49.8 percent.

The District exists to improve upon the living conditions of the people through the mobilization of human, material and financial resources in the provision of basic amenities, infrastructure and essential facilities for human subsistence.

To really understand and break the poverty cycle or under development which pertains to the District, it is important to identify and critically study the physical environment within which the people live, as it contributes to a great extent the kind of economic activities and occupations present in the area and subsequently incomes and social services.

The output of the study resulted in identifying the sort of projects and programmes earmarked for implementation of the DMTDP deeming the period, 2016.

1.1 Purpose of M& E for the year 2016.

The main objectives of the Monitoring and Evaluation is to institute an effective and efficient system for tracking the progress of programmes and projects in the District, and generate timely report to N.D.P.C. and other stakeholders through the R. P. C. U. resulting in the District Annual Progress Report for the year 2016.

The Monitoring and Evaluation exercise is to provide a flexible guide to the steps used to document MTDP activities and how to measure progress towards the achievement of MTDP goal and objectives.

In addition, the process provides a clear picture of the MTDP M & E Mechanism and detailed information on how specific activities and outputs will be monitored and evaluated to provide clear understanding, and lessons learnt from the project implementation

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1.2 Processes involved and difficulties encountered Information used in the preparation of this report was mainly from primary and secondary sources. In an attempt to develop having in mind the limited resources available to the District Assembly; efforts were made to have other development partners as collaborators in the provision of information. Such institutions include:

1. Central Government 2. GETFUND. 3. NEWMONT 4. Water Aid 5. OLIVES 6. ISODEC The secondary sources of information were obtained from reports covering these projects and first hand information obtained from the project site.

During the process of the preparation of the District’s Annual Progress Reports, specifically during data collection, the difficulty was the high level of illiteracy among the local communities who happens to be the beneficiaries who could not appreciate the issues at stake.

There was also an issue of financial commitment to ensure that projects and programmes are monitored and well executed to standards.

This brings to question the frequency of visits paid to project sites by the Monitoring Team as vehicles for the monitoring activities were broken down. During the period under review, it became clear that MMDAs are not much enthused about allocating resources to undertake M and E activities.

The DPCU has office secretariat of its own and the Development Planning Officer serves as the secretary. There was also no indication of budgetary allocation to the secretariat which made it impossible for the Team Members to receive any type of incentives which demoralized members in their performance of duties.

The leadership style at the public service is functioning effectively while the political support is forthcoming in the form of co-operation and encouragement.

Furthermore, there is no specific project vehicle assigned to the secretariat which makes their operations inconsistent and difficult. Lastly, logistical situation at the DPCU level is not the

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1.3 Status of implementation of the District Medium Term Development Plan (2014 – 2017)

A thorough review of the District Medium Term Development Plan (2014 - 2017) was undertaken by the DPCU members. The process fell in line with the end of year Review of Annual Review as indicated in the table below in relation to the five thematic areas

The process revealed that projects which were to be funded by the District Assembly and could not be implemented were due to lack of funds while those to be funded through other interventions the District Assembly did not have much control on their activities including finances. For instance, projects and programmes implemented by MoFA, GETFUND and others could not be controlled and directed.

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TABLE 1: STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION THEMATIC AREA 1: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT & PRODUCTIVITY- 2016 NO. PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENT REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE. 1 Construction of 1No. Vocational/technical training Contract awarded 90% Delay in the release of funds school at Afosu 2 Construction of 1No. Practical room for Contract awarded 96% Delay in the release of funds Vocational/technical school at Afosu 3 1No. 3-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at Kyenkyenku 4 1No. 3-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at Owuromra 5 1No. 3-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at Odontuase 6 1No. 4-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at D/A Prim. at Adausena 70 1No. 3-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at Akoase SDA 8 1No. 3-unit JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6- Contract awarded 100% seater KVIP at Akoase Methodist 9 Physically challenged activities, District-wide Funds provided 100% 10 Construction of 6-unit classroom Block with ancillary Contract awarded 10% Delay in the release of funds facilities Asawase 11 Construction of 6-unit classroom Block, Office etc. at Contract awarded 100% Old Abirem Anglican Primary 12 Construction of 4-unit classroom Block, Office etc. at Contract awarded 100% Afosu Islamic 13 Scholarship, bursaries & financial assistance to students Fund provided 100% 14 1No.Walling/fencing project of Abirem/Afosu SHS Contract awarded 100% (Phase 1) 15 Sports & cultural development Funds provided 100% 16 Youth Employment Agency (YEA). Funds provide 100%

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17 Staff training in ICT. Funds provided 100% 18 District response Initiative on HIV/AIDS Fund provided 100% 19 Malaria control programme Funds provided 100% 20 Health programme (nutrition/pop activities, EPI etc.) Fund provided 100% 21 RHIP/HAPE sustainability programme. Funds provided 100% 22 Construction of 1No. nurses quarters at New Abirem Contract awarded 100% 23 Women empowerment & under privileged activities, Funds provided 100% District-wide. 24 Construction of CHPS compound at Kyenkyenku Contract awarded 100% 25 Construction of CHPS compound at Tenkyemso Contract awarded 100% 26 Construction of 1No. Voc. / Tech. School at Afosu Contract awarded 100% (Phase 2) 27 Construction of 1No. 5bedroom teachers quarter at Contract awarded 40% Delay in the release of funds Adausena 28 Construction of 1No. 5bedroom teachers quarter at Contract awarded 40% Delay in the release of funds Hweakwae 29 Construction of CHPS compound at Old Abirem Contract awarded 10% 30 Construction of fence wall at Abirem/Afosu SHS (Phase Contract awarded 30% Delay in the release of funds 2) 31 Rehabilitation of health administration block Contract awarded 30% Delay in the release of funds THEMATIC AREA 2: ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS OF GHANA’S PRIVATE SECTOR - 2016 NO PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENT REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE. 1 Construction of 1No. Storey 30-unit market store (phase Contract awarded. 100% Delay in release of funds. I) at New Abirem. 2 Research & Tourism, District-wide. Provide funds 0% No funds. 3 Paving of lorry park at New Abirem Contract awarded 100% 4 Construction of 1No. 30-unit market store (phase II) at Contract awarded 45% Delay in the release of funds New Abirem 5 Construction of 1No. 4-unit offices and 1No. 3-unit Contract awarded 100% travelers shed at New Abirem new market 6 Construction of a ware house Contract awarded 15% Delay in release of funds.

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THEMATIC AREA 3: ACCELERATED AGRICULTURAL MODERNISATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - 2016 NO PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENT REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE. 1 Agric support funds, New Abirem. Funds provided. 100% THEMATIC AREA 4: TRANSPARENT & ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE - 2016 NO. PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENT REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE 1 Enhancing justice & security, District-wide Funds provided 100% 2 Publication/publicity & gazetting of document at New Funds provided 100% Abirem 3 Valuation of properties in the district. Inception stage 0%. Delay in the release of funds. 4 Acquisition of title deeds to Assembly’s properties, Provide funds 0% No funds District-wide. 5 Pay compensation District-wide. Provide funds. 0% No funds. 6 Procurement of other equipments, New Abirem. Provide funds. 0% No funds 7 Maintenance & repair of assembly buildings, District- Funds provided. 50% Inadequate funds wide. 8 Contingency fund. Provide funds. 0% No funds. 9 Supply and installation of generator at BNDA, New Contract awarded. 100% Abirem 10 Prepare district budget, New Abirem. Funds provided 100% 11 Material assistant to communities in need Funds provided 100% 12 Construction of district Magistrate court Contract awarded 91% No funds 13 Project monitoring and evaluation Funds provided 100% 14 District water and sanitation management team support Funds provided 100% fund 15 Construction of canteen Contract awarded 100% 16 Staff training in ICT Funds provided 100% THEMATIC AREA 5: INFRASTRUCTURE & HUMAN SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT - 2016 NO. PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES ACHIEVEMENT REASONS FOR NOT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE 1 Extension & purchase of electric poles Fund provided 100% 2 Provide street lights Funds provided 100%

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3 Reshape selected feeder roads in the district. Contract awarded 100% 4 Disaster management fund. Funds provided. 100% 5 Clearing / maintenance of refuse dump & development of Funds provided 100% acquired solid waste sites, District-wide 7 Street Naming & Property Addressing Exercise Funds provided 100% 8 Expansion of electricity in the district Contract awarded 100% 9 Construction of “U” Drain at Ntronang (Phase 1) Contract awarded 100% 10 Construction of “U” Drain at Ntronang (Phase 2) Contract awarded 70% Delay in the release of funds

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Monitoring And Evaluation Activities Report

2.1 Programme And Project Status For The Year Specific interventions have been adopted under the Medium Term Development Plan to ensure maximum implementation of the plan. Priority projects have been proposed for Socio- Economic Development of the District taking into cognizance the potentials and opportunities that abound in the District to enable the plan enjoy support with available human and financial resources.

The District has also assigned to itself the co-ordination, implementation and supervisory role. It must also be noted that it may not be possible to adhere strictly to the implementation schedule proposed for the various programmes and projects as a result of scarce resources.

The effective implementation of the plan during the year under review called for an approach that sort to optimize utilization of available resources both internally and externally. Consequently, the table below indicates the implementation strategy through:

. The mobilization of local resources. . Partnership with external agencies. . Judicious use of available resources and cohesive institutional linkages and net working. The table indicates that about 49.2 percent of projects under implementation were completed. A critical look at the project areas shows much emphasis on school blocks, teacher’s accommodation, water/sanitation, market and health which are critical indicators in assessing poverty reduction activities in the District. It must also be noted that the table below includes all other interventions outside the District Annual Action plan for the year 2016.

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TABLE 2:PROJECTS / PROGRAMMES STATUS FOR THE YEAR 2016 S/NO PROJECT/ PROJECT COMMENCEMEN ESTIMATED ACTUAL CONTRAC PAYMEN DATE OF CONTRACTO % OF REMARKS SOURCE OF PROGRAMME LOCATIO T DATE COMPLETIO COMPLETIO T SUM T TO LAST R WORK FUND N N DATE N DATE DATE PAYMEN DONE T 1 1No.Vocationa Afosu 5/7/2012 6/1/2013 470,378.15 376,079.3 17/07/201 M/S BROAD 90% ON-GOING DDF l/technical 3 4 WATER training school 2 Construction of Afosu 5/7/2012 6/1/2013 181,757.39 174,294.1 07/04/20 M/S PRISTEN 96% ON-GOING DDF 1No. Practical 9 16 CONSULT room for Voc / Tech School 3 Completion of Kyenkyenk 8/8/2011 6/12/2011 64,600.00 64,600.00 6/4/2016 M/S JOBANS 100% COMPLETED DACF/DDF 1No. 3-unit u CONST. JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6-seater KVIP. 4 Const. of 1No. Akoase 22/04/011 21/09/011 65,000.00 4,500.00 Direct labour 70% ON-GOING DACF K.G block Experiment al School 5 Completion of Oworomra 27/10/2010 31/05/2011 90,000.00 88,045.00 27/7/201 P-NELS 100% COMPLETED DACF/DDF 1No. 3-unit 6 JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6-seater KVIP 6 Completion of Odontuase 22/02/2012 7/6/2012 93,068.63 84,407.10 11/01/20 DZADAN 100% COMPLETED DACF/ 1No. 3-unit 16 CONST. LTD GETFUND JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6-seater KVIP 7 1No.4-unit Adausena 17/10/2009 16/03/2010 23//08/2010 134,000.00 45,000.00 13/9/2012 TRIPARTITE 100% COMPLETED DACF/ JHS, office, NEWMONT store, common room & 1No. 6-seater KVIP at D/A Prim.

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8 Construction / Akoase 22/04/2011 21/09/2011 156,447.03 133,788.6 28/7/201 M/S KETE 100% COMPLETED DACF/ Completion of Methodist 2 6 MO KOSE GETFUND 1No.3-unit School. JHS, office, store, common room & 1No. 6-seater KVIP 9 Const. of 6- Afosu 13/07/2010 12/02/2011 270,650.01 262,716.7 15/12/201 ALHAJ & 99% ON-GOING DDF unit classroom Islamic 5 8 6 MADINA Block, Office school etc. 10 Const. of 1No. New 09/02/2011 09/02/2012 531,551.24 424,955.1 08/04/201 M/S IKE-BOA 100% COMPLETED DDF 1Storey, 30- Abirem 2 6 COMPANY Unit Market LTD Stores. 11 Const. of 1No. New 03/09/2015 02/03/2016 170,017.49 81,317.74 11/11/201 ALHAJI & 50% ON-GOING DACF 4-unit offices Abirem 6 MADINA and 1No. 3- unit travelers shed 12 1No. Voc./tech Afosu 08/07/2014 22/09/2015 514,147.55 326,166.2 21/12/201 M/S BROAD 100% ON-GOING DDF training 5 6 WATER (phase 2) 13 Const. of a BNDA, 17/12/2015 16/03/2016 54,735.83 10,600.00 27/5/2016 SARECO 100% COMPLETED DACF canteen New ENT. Abirem 14 Const. of Kyenkyenk 15/09/2015 15/03/2016 168,405.30 130,203.3 3/11/2016 SARECO 100% COMPLETED DACF CHPS u 3 ENT. compound 15 Const. of Kuntenase 15/09/2015 15/03/2016 173,248.30 173,248.3 27/7/2016 CHARLEY 100% COMPLETED DACF CHPS 0 ‘B’ ENT. compound 16 1No.Walling/ Abirem/ 30/10/2012 30/2/2013 193,542.50 145,494.4 11/11/201 NANA 80% ON-GOING DACF fencing project Afosu SHS 0 6 BOAFO of Abirem/ KESSE VENT. Afosu SHS 17 Rehabilitation New 30/01/2016 30/07/2016 149,314.00 15,00000 M/S 70% ON-GOING DACF of District Abirem MAXFOSS Assembly CONT. LTD. block 18 Const. of U- Ntronang 19/01/2016 18/07/2016 732,129.50 392,000.0 3/11/2016 EYE KRISTO 100% COMPLETED DACF/ IGF drain 0 ADOM ENT.

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19 Paving of lorry New 30/02/2016 30/06/2016 682,069.52 318,206.9 25/11/201 M/S PALM 100% COMPLETED DACF/IGF park Abirem 5 6 TREE CONT. LTD. 20 Const. of ware New 30/01/2016 30/07/2016 111,664.35 16,749.65 26/5/2016 M/S NANA 15% ON-GOING DACF house Abirem BOAFO KESSE 21 Supply and BNDA, 24/12/2015 23/01/2016 76,375.00 55,000.00 6/1/2016 AKO NANA 100% COMPLETED DACF installation of New CONST. generator at Abirem WORKS BNDA 22 Refuse dump/ Afosu 08/07/2016 22/07/2016 27,900.00 27,900.00 M/S M- 100% COMPLETED DACF site clearing & voc./tech. NAMSA leveling school VENTURES 23 Site clearance/ District 08/07/2016 22/07/2016 46,516.06 30.000.00 11/11/201 M/S M- 100% COMPLETED DACF stone pitching Magistrate 6 NAMSA Court, New VENTURES Abirem 24 Physically District- 8/13/2012 21,300.00 100% COMPLETED DACF challenged Wide activities 25 Const. of 1No. New 74,040.00 45,000.00 8/11/201 M/S 100% COMPLETED DACF District Abirem 6 GLOPPONG Magistrate ENT. Court 26 Maintenance & District- 7/12/2012 50% ON-GOING IGF repair of Wide Assembly buildings 27 Procurement of New 30/10/2012 7,000.00 BNDA NOT DACF other office Abirem STARTED equipment. 28 Extension & District- 8,000.00 ECG/BNDA ON-GOING DACF/IGF purchase of Wide electric poles 29 Expansion of District- 177,500.00 176,500.0 28/7/2016 M/S PRADO 100% COMPLETED DACF/IGF electricity in wide 0 CONSULT the district LTD. 30 Street lights District- 8,000.00 ECG/BNDA ON-GOING DACF/IGF Wide 31 Construction of Asawase 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 470,214.14 70,532.12 29/11/201 M/S NAFAK 10% ON-GOING IGF 1No. 6-Unit 6 COMPANY classroom LTD.

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block with ancillary facility 32 Construction of Adausena 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 505,242.78 75,746.41 20/12/201 ALHAJI & 40% ON-GOING IGF 1No. 5bedroom 6 MADINA teachers COMPANY quarters LTD. 33 Construction of Hweakwae 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 484,242.78 72,636.41 20/12/201 KETE MO 40% ON-GOING IGF 1No. 5bedroom 6 KOSE teachers quarters 34 Construction of Old 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 301,463.00 45,219.45 20/12/201 AKO NANA 10% ON-GONG IGF CHPS Abirem 6 CONSTRUCTI compound ON WORKS 35 Construction of New 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 384,000.00 57,600.00 6/12/2016 M/S NANA 30% ON-GOING IGF fence wall Abirem / BOAFO (Phase 2) Afosu SHS KESSE VENTURES 36 Construction of Ntronang 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 442,921.50 EYE KRISTO 70% ON-GOING DDF/IGF/DA “U” drain ADOM CF (Phase 2) 37 Const. of 1No. New 09/01/2017 31/07/2017 539,987.28 IKE BOA 45% ON-GOING DACF / IGF 1Storey, 30- Abirem CONT. Unit Market COMPANY Stores (Phase 2) 38 Rehabilitation New 09/01/2017 31/05/2017 151,375.35 PRESTIGE 30% ON-GOING DACF of health Abirem NHYIRA administration COMPANY block LTD. 39 Selected District- 20,000.00 BNDA/FEEDE 100% COMPLETED DACF/IGF Feeder roads in Wide R ROADS the district. 40 Staff training New 8,000.00 BNDA COMPLETED DACF/DDF in ICT. Abirem 41 Publication / District- 3/10/2015 8,000.00 4,000.00 100% COMPLETED IGF publicity & Wide gazetting of document 42 Valuation of District- 1/11/2012 0% INCEPTION DACF properties in Wide STAGE the district

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43 Scholarship, District- 20,000.00 BNDA COMPLETED DACF bursaries & Wide financial assistance to students 44 Sports & District- 5,000.00 BNDA/ 100% COMPLETED DACF cultural Wide EDUCATION development 45 District District- 5,600.00 5,600.00 GHS 100% COMPLETED DACF response Wide Initiative on HIV/AIDS 46 Malaria control District- 3,000.00 GHS 100% FUNDS DACF programme Wide RELEASED 47 Health District- 4,000.00 GHS 100% COMPLETED DACF programme Wide (nutrition/pop activities, EPI etc.) 48 RHIP/HAPE District- 3,000.00 GHS 100% COMPLETED DACF sustainability Wide programme. 49 Payment of District- 6/4/2012 BNDA IGF Compensation Wide 50 Project District- 7/12/2012 BNDA 40% COMPLETED IGF Monitoring and Wide Evaluation 51 Contingency New BNDA COMPLETED IGF fund. Abirem 52 District water District- 10,000.00 BNDA/ 100% COMPLETED DACF/IGF & sanitation Wide ENVIRONME management NTAL support. 53 Material District- 3,000.00 BNDA/ 100% COMPLETED DACF assistance to Wide SOCIAL communities in WEFARE need 54 Women District- 3,000.00 BNDA/ 100% COMPLETED DACF empowerment Wide SOCIAL & under WEFARE privileged activities

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55 Research & District- 4,000.00 BNDA 0% NOT DACF/GTB Tourism Wide STARTED 56 Preparation of New BNDA 100% COMPLETED DACF district budget Abirem 57 Agric support New 01/01/2016 31/12/2016 10,000.00 BNDA/MOFA 100% COMPLETED DACF funds. Abirem 58 Justice & District- 4,000.00 BNDA 100% COMPLETED DACF security Wide 59 Disaster District- 01/01/2016 31/12/2016 5,000.00 NADMO/ 100% COMPLETED DACF management Wide BNDA fund.

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2.2 Update on Receipts from Funding Sources The District Assembly obtains its revenue for development from different sources. These include, among others, the District’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF), the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) and the District Development Facility (DDF). The releases from the HIPC Fund, Government of Ghana Grants and Donor Grants are project specific.

Table 3 shows the funding sources and the actual amount received in the year.

TABLE 3: UPDATE ON RECEIPTS FROM FUNDING SOURCES Source 2014 GH¢ 2015 GH¢ 2016 GH¢ DACF 566,739.00 1,940,480.42 1,510,122.36 MP 115,732.18 54,538.62 IGF 301,851.89 587,178.35 2,310,891.76 GOG 1,865,769.58 549,447.98 544,154.00 GRANT HIV/AIDS 13,309.43 13,563.58 SIP 25,000.00 - SFP 220,766.00 - PWD FUND 40,843.77 92,337.66 DONOR 587,684.29 316,784.00 GRANT TOTAL REVENUE 2,755,872.05 3,809,542.13 4,525,607.98 Source: BNDA Finance Office, Dec. 2016

The table above shows the updates on receipts of funds by Birim North District Assembly. Information on the previous years with regards to the receipts was included to help facilitate the trend analysis. From the table above, it could be realised that, DACF increased tremendously from GH¢ 566,739.00 to GH¢ 1,940,480.42 that is 242% increment from 2014 to 2015. In 2016, DACF figure fell from the GH¢ 1,940,480.42 to GH ¢ 1,510,122.36 representing a slight fall of 22%. Additionally, IGF in 2015 realised an increment of 94% thus from GH¢ 301,851.89 to GH¢ 587,178.35. In 2016, IGF figure shot up to GH¢ 2,310,891.76 representing 293%. The tremendous increment in 2016 IGF was due to the fact that, Newmont Golden Ridge Limited are now mandated to pay taxes to the assembly (i.e. property rate and operation permit) as well as the receipts of royalties from minerals commission.

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Release of DACF follows the normal pattern where the last trench normally comes in the ensuing year. Deductions are however too enormous and render budget implementation difficult but at the time of writing this report, the last quarter of the 2015 DACF had been released. The GoG Grant realised a pronounced fall of 71% from 2014 to 2015 whiles 2015 to 2016 realised a slight fall of 0.96%. HIV / AIDS realised a slight increment while PWD realised a tremendous increment of 125% from the previous year’s figure.

Fig. 1 Update of receipt from funding source

2,500,000.00

2,000,000.00

1,500,000.00

2014 GH¢ 1,000,000.00 2015 GH¢ 2016 GH¢

500,000.00

0.00

2.2.1 Efforts to Generate Funds In spite of the comparatively low numerical strength of revenue collectors, targets and collection points had been allotted to the staff with the view to holding them accountable. The Administration also serves demand notices on business entities to compel them honour their tax obligations. (a) The Assembly losses revenue from landed property (i) Because the rates applied are unassessed. It is envisaged that an evaluation

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list would be compiled to enable the Assembly charge rates based on the

value of the property.

2.3 Update on Disbursements

TABLE 4: UPDATE ON DISBURSEMENTS EXPENDITURE 2014 GH¢ 2015 GH¢ 2016 GH¢ TYPE ADMINISTRATION 1,124,055.14 1,010,010.33 871,236.12 SERVICE 37,115.00 24,287.00 1,090,837.58 INVESTMENT 1,609,667.42 2,470,083.20 2,734,563.61 SPECIAL - - - PROJECTS MISCELLANEOUS - - - TOTAL 2,770,854.56 3,504,380.53 4,696,637.31 EXPENDITURE Source: BNDA Finance Office, Dec. 2016

The funds received in the district were disbursed to finance ongoing and new programmes, and projects (service delivery). Funds were disbursed in line with the annual budget. The disbursements covered administration, service, and investment. From the table above, it could be realised that investment figures have been increasing over the years. In 2014 an amount of GH¢ 1,609,667.42 was sunk into investment whiles in 2015 it increased to GH¢ 2,470,083.20 representing about 54% increment. In 2016, the amount increased from GH¢ 2,470,083.20 to of GH¢ 2,734,563.61 representing 11% increment. This implies that, the Assembly total expenditure of GH¢ 4,696,637.31 had 58% sunk into investment, 23% under service and 19% under service. This speaks well about the Assembly.

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Fig. 2 Update on disbursement

3,000,000.00

2,500,000.00

2,000,000.00

1,500,000.00 2014 GH¢ 1,000,000.00 2015 GH¢ 2016 GH¢ 500,000.00

0.00

2.3.1 Adequacy Of Funds For the period 2016, funds released have not been adequate to carry out planned activities. This was as a result of massive deductions of funds from the DACF allocations to the District Assembly which greatly affected smooth implementation of projects and programmes outlined in the Annual Action Plan.

2.3.2 Utilisation of Fund In Accordance With the Budget

There is evidence of over-expenditure on certain budget lines. There were also payments on projects which were not budgeted for.

2.3.3 Other Challenges With Regards To Disbursement Certain expenditures which could not pass as recurrent were absorbed by funds meant for developmental projects.

2.4 Update of Indicators and Targets

Preparation of the Medium Term Development Plan involved the gathering of inputs from stakeholders which were specific on their inputs, outputs and outcomes. As a result, certain information was to be stated to guide the implementations along the path of project implementation.

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One of the most critical aspects in preparing the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan was to define the most appropriate indicators and setting targets that are achievable and directly related to the DMTDP goal and objectives.

Indicators are needed to measure the processes of achieving our objectives while targets are the sign post that will lead us to the stated goal of achievement.

The DPCU met to develop and define some core indicators for monitoring the implementation of the DMTDP (2014-2017). These indicators which were District or local specifics were determined through participatory and collaborative process. The team was guided by the principle of importance to ensure that each indicator was specific, measurable, attainable, reliable and time-bound as indicated in the information that follows.

As presented in the table below, the indicators are categorized into output and disaggregated into specific items. In the Monitoring Process, all stakeholders were involved in the exercise by the use of questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews, observations, etc.

The stakeholders were members of the DPCU, Assembly members, CBOs, CSOs, Development Partners and Traditional Authorities.

To ensure that the process is continuing, the monitoring exercise will be undertaken quarterly.

At the end of the exercise it was realized that the indicators developed were able to measure the various Thematic Areas and results could be quantifiable. The level of resources needed for the exercise could be affordable while at the same time the indicators will be reliable during the planned period.

During the course of the exercise, MOFA, GHS, GES, BAC, Department of Social Development made immense contributions and needed to be commended. However, other challenges which occurred were the unavailability of ready data from institutions which were directly under the Assembly hence, the need to see each other as partners in development.

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UPDATE ON CORE DISTRICT INDICATORS AND TARGETS CATEGORISED BY GHANA SHARED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA II THEMATIC AREAS.

TABLE 5: SUMMARY OF THE PROGRESS MADE ON INDICATORS AND TARGETS NO. INFRASTRUCTURE & HUMAN 2015 2015 2016 Target 2016 Annual Indicator Level SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT TARGET INDICATORS (%) MT/HA PRODUCTION 1 Proportion /length of roads maintained or

rehabilitated.

 Feeder roads 50km 10km 86.7km

 Urban roads 10km 5km 26.2km  Feeder roads 125km 85km 114.8km

2 % change in number of households with 20% 11.38% access to electricity 3 Tele density/penetration rate. N/A N/A - n/a ACCELERATED AGRICULTURAL MODERNISATION & NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3 Percentage crop/livestock.  Maize 3.2 10.00 8 1.33  Cassava 0.7 6.20 13 15.59  Rice 1.8 16.80 n/a -  Yam 0.8 9.60 n/a -  Plantain 9.60 -3.30 n/a -  Oil palm 5.6 17.80 10 10.25 11.1 11.1 n/a -  Citrus 4.7 2.3 n/a -  Cocoa 6.90 1.6 n/a -  cocoyam

4 Hectares of degraded forest, mining, dry and wetlands.  Forest.  Mining. 25,000km sq 10,000km sq -  Dry and wetland. ENHANCED COMPETITIVENESS OF GHANA’S PRIVATE SECTOR

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5 % increase in tourism N/A N/A n/a n/a HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT & PRODUCTIVITY. 7 HIV/AIDS recorded cases. 2.5 3.9 0 n/a 8 Maternal mortality ratio (number of death 0 - 0 n/a due to pregnancy and child birth per 10,000. 9 Under five mortality death rate 0 n/a 0 n/a 10 Malaria case fatality in children under 0 n/a 0 n/a five years per 10,000. 11 Percentage of population with sustainable 80.0 65.0 90 75% access to safe water sources 12 % of population with sustainable access 30.0 10.5 80% 40% to improved sanitation 13 Gross enrolment rate (GER).  Primary school. - - - -  JHS - - - - 14 Gender parity index (GPI).  KG 1.0 0.93%  Primary school. 100.0 96.1  JHS 1.0 0.92% 85.0 73.5  SHS 1.0 0.93%  Net admission rate in primary 25.1% schools 100 96.1  Retention rate at primary level - -  Retention rate at JHS

 Retention rate at SHS - -

Gender parity index(ratio b/n girls and

boys enrolment rate, the balance of parity

is 1.00)

 KG 1.0 0.93 1.0 0.93%  Primary 1.2 0.7 1.0 0.92%  JHS 0.9 0.55 1.0 0.93%  SHS -  TVET -

 Free school uniforms.  Free school exercise books 15 Proportion of unemployed youth 30.0 12.0 200 184

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benefiting from skills/apprenticeship & entrepreneurship training. 16 Total amount of internally generated 312,381.06 188,550.00 2,310,891.76 revenue. 17 Amount of development partners and -600,000 324,000.00 NGOs fund contribution to DMTDP. 18 Percentage of District Assembly’s 100.0 75.0 expenditure within the DMTDP budget (how much District Assembly expenditure was not in the Annual Budget) 19 Number of reported cases of abuse  Children 50 n/a  Women 84 n/a  Men 30 n/a Number of cases settled through mediation 25 n/a  Children 38 n/a  Women 12 n/a  Men Number of cases referred to other jurisdiction 15 n/a 30 n/a  Children 8 n/a  Women

 Men

Number of cases closed due to lack of 10 n/a interest. 12 n/a  Children 10 n/a  Women

 Men. 20 Police citizen ratio. 1:500 1:1,500 1:500 1:2321 Disaster Management  No of disaster cases reported 316 n/a  No of disaster cases attended to 26 n/a  No. of disaster volunteer groups 200 79 n/a formed.

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2.5 Update on Critical Development and Poverty Issues

2.5.1. Academic Performance

The 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examination recorded One Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Four (1,334) candidates from Fifty Nine (59) schools district wide comprising of 53.5% males and 46.5% females. The examination took place at Five (5) centres, Two at New Abirem and Akoase and One at Ntronang with Five supervisors and five assistants. Seventeen (17) candidates were absent during the examination period whiles Twenty Seven (27) candidates wrote the exams with pregnancy. The district recorded a past rate of 98.9% in the 2016 Basic Education Certificate Examination. In the year under review, the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) coordinator in collaboration with Ghana health Service and the District Assembly distributed four thousand four hundred and sixty eight (4,468) insecticide mosquito nets to school children in both public and private schools. The main aim was to control the incident of Malaria among children in the district. Furthermore, the SHEP coordinator in collaboration with the District Health Directorate undertook integrated control of five (5) Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) thus Lymphatic Filariosis, Onchocerciasis, Shistosomiasis, Soil Transmitted Helminthes and Trachoma. The main activities that took place were mass drug administration, health education and surveillance.

During the quarter under review, the Ghana Education Service in partnership with USAID organised a reading festival for learning. The theme was “learn to read, read to learn”. The programme was held at five (5) circuit centres in the district. The rationale of the programme was to sensitize educational stakeholders on the importance of reading.

2.5.1.1 Accessibility:

The main aim was to ensure access for all children of school going age. The key activities that took place included enrolment drive, provision of exercise and text books, and observation of ‘My First Day at school and school feeding programmes. The provision of educational infrastructures in deprived areas in the District was also among programmes implemented.

2.5.1.2 Gender:

In the Assembly’s quest to curb the incident of teenage pregnancy, the Ghana Education in collaboration Ghana Health Service and the district assembly revived girls club in some selected schools to sensitise them on the importance of girl’s education and promote girl’s

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: DISTRICT PLANNING CO-ORDINATING UNITSECRETARIAT Page 28 reproductive health education. A sensitisation programme was further held for forty eight (48) members of the chief’s association in the district in order to solicit support for girl’s education. Furthermore, the Girls Education unit organized 2016 UN Girls’ International Day. The theme was “stop child marriage: let the girl grow”. It was held on 12th October, 2016. The rationale was to celebrate the efforts girls are putting up irrespective of the challenges being faced.

2.5.1.3 Quality:

To ensure quality education in the District, trained teachers were posted to both rural and urban schools in the District. The District Education Office (DEO) also conducted a monitoring exercise in the review year to observe morning silence hour, the preparation of scheme of work and lesson notes, teacher punctuality and regularity and continuous assessment records and class registers. Thirty-five (35) schools were monitored and the District Education officers were in six (6) groups. Observations and findings were satisfactory.

2.5.1.3 Sports and cultural development:

During the quarter under review, a 3-days Regional Cultural festival was held at . The rationale was to improve on cultural Heritage activities. There were 80 participants from different schools. Cultural activities performed were Coral, Poetry recital, Dance, Drum Language, sight singing, exhibition, still life drawing, sewing and cooking competition. Birim North District went as observers. A 5-days National Cultural Festival was also held at. The district went as observers.

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TABLE 6: EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND PUPILS ENROLMENT SCHOOLS ENROLMENT

PUBLIC ENROLMENT PRIVATE ENROLMENT

TOTAL M F TOTAL M F

K.G 59 3061 1547 1514 29 1284 665 619

PRIMARY 61 9378 4933 4445 29 2646 1352 1294

J.H.S 48 4069 2098 1971 13 582 290 292

S.H.S 2 1881 967 914 1 87 47 40

VOCATION ------AL

TECHNICA ------L

TOTAL 170 18389 9545 8844 72 4599 2354 2245

Source: G.E.S office, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

Analysis of the above table indicates that, out of the Two Hundred and Forty Two (242) schools in the District, the public schools constitute One Hundred and Seventy (170) representing about 70.2% whiles the private schools constitute Seventy Two (72) representing about 29.8%. Comparatively, enrolment at both facilities had been encouraging even though the public schools still have the highest proportion of enrolments in the District that is Eighteen Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Nine (18,389) constituting 80% whiles the private represent 20% school enrolment of Four Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety Nine (4,599). Tentatively, enrolment in the public sector had increased from 17,544 (2015) to 18,389 representing about 4.8% whiles the private sector realised a decrease of about 9.4% that is from 5,078 in 2015 to 4599 in 2016. Both facilities have the dominating trend of male pupil than the female with the exception of the Senior High of the private school which has the female pupil dominating with Two Hundred and Ninety Two (292) against Two Hundred and Ninety (290) males. This makes Birim North District different from other districts in the country in the sense that more females are being educated at the secondary school levels. This is a good sign for future development in terms of quality of the population as well as reduction in population growth in the district.

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TABLE 7: TOTAL NUMBER OF TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS NUMBER OF TEACHERS

PUBLIC PRIVATE

TOTAL TOTAL TRAINE UNTRAI MALE FEMAL TOTAL TRAINE UNTRAI MALE FEMAL D D NED E D NED E K.G 157 117 40 23 134 50 2 48 5 45

PRIMARY 385 327 58 243 142 119 6 113 86 33

J.H.S 327 289 38 249 78 60 14 46 51 9

S.H.S 97 74 23 77 20 10 8 2 10 -

T.V.E.T ------

TOTAL 966 807 159 592 374 239 30 209 152 87

Source: G.E.S office, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

Analysis of the above table indicates that, Birim North total number of teachers had increased from the previous year’s figure of 1,132 to 1,205. This implies that, the number of teachers realised a slight increment of 8%. Out of the 1,205, 69.5% are trained as against the previous year’s of 67.5%. Untrained teachers constitute 30.5% of the total figure as against 32.1% in 2015. This implies that, untrained teachers in the district are putting in much effort to upgrade themselves. A careful study of the table also reveals that, male teachers still dominant in the teaching profession. This simply attests to the fact that, the district has a male domineering population even though, the nation’s population reveals otherwise. Female teachers only constitutes 38.3% as against the previous year’s figure of 39.5% thus a slight decrease of 3.1%

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Fig. 3 Total number of teachers in the District (Trained & Untrained)

350

300

250 PUBLIC TRAINED 200 PUBLIC UNTRAINED 150 PRIVATE TRAINED PRIVATE UNTRAINED 100

50

0 K.G PRIMARY J.H.S S.H.S

2.5.2 Capitation Grant

TABLE 8: CAPITATION GRANT Period Amount received GH¢ Percentage increase / decrease 1st January – 31st December, 2014 49,779.00 1st January – 31st December, 2015 23,938.50 -51.9% 1st January – 31st December, 2016 69,239.04 +189% Source: G.E.S office, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

A careful study of the table shows that the trend flow of the grant had not been consistent. At the time of compiling this report, it could be realised that, there was a tremendous increment of 189% from the previous year’s figure (2015). The trend of the release of the fund is erratic. It is hoped that, the funds would be released on time in the coming years to help promote smooth academic work in the basic schools.

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2.5.3 COMMUNITY BASED TRAINING

The Business Advisory Centre (BAC) being the implementation wing of the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP) in the Birim North District has an overall goal of improving the livelihoods and income of rural poor through Micro and Small Entrepreneurs. It also acts as a conduit to promote REP’s objective of increasing the number of rural Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) that generate profit, growth and employment opportunities. During the year under review, five (5) training activities were under taken in the area of youth in agribusiness, poultry production, pig production and oil palm processing.

2.5.3.1 Youth in Agribusiness

It is a concept developed by the rural enterprise programme to provide avenue for training of unemployed and under-employed youth in the agri-business training programmes. The Birim North Business Advisory Centre had the opportunity to facilitate the training of thirty six persons in two farm institutes in Ghana thus Asuansi and Farm Institutes. Out of the thirty six trainees, twenty had their training at the Asuansi Farm Institute in the area of fish/aquaculture, Goat and Sheep, Pig and Poultry production training. Wenchi Farm Institute trained sixteen persons in the area of Poultry, Pig, Goat and Sheep productions.

2.5.3.2 Poultry Production

The Business Advisory Centre (B.A.C) organised a five days Technology Improvement Community Based Skill Training (C.B.T) in Poultry farming for prospective Poultry farmers in Aworoho. It featured nineteen participants, twelve males and seven females. Participants were taken through importance of Poultry farming, reproduction (hatching and brooding), management system types in Poultry farming, preparation of compound feed, pest and disease management and bio-security measures. The training was successful and the Poultry farmers were grateful for the BAC for bringing such training to their doorsteps. The Awohoro Poultry farmers after the training were given one hundred chicks to start with full operation.

2.5.3.3 Pig Production

The Business Advisory Centre (B.A.C) also organised a six days Technology Improvement and packaging Community Based Skill Training (C.B.T) in Pig production for a farmer based association called Yesu Nkoa of Okaikrom. Seventeen persons participated in the training of which eleven were males and six females. Topics espoused included introduction of modern pig production, reproduction and signs of heat, fattening of young ones before sales, feed

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: DISTRICT PLANNING CO-ORDINATING UNITSECRETARIAT Page 33 formulation and feeding regime, disease and pest management among others were treated. A special feature of the training was the introduction of modern Indigenous Micro-Organism (IMO) technology thus a process where a food substrate embedded with good microorganisms is introduced into the wood shavings used as floor cover for the pig sty which subsequently becomes edible and fed on by the pigs. The advantages of the Indigenous Micro-Organism include reduction of cost of production, omission of stench associated with pig production and also minimal the noise associated with pig production.

2.5.3.4 Oil Palm

Five days Technology Improvement and Packaging Community Based Skill Training (CBT) programme was organised by the Business Advisory centre in Oil Palm production at Praso Kuma. Thirty two persons took active part in the training with twenty one females and one male. Participants were taken through topics like varieties and characteristics of Palm fruits, uses of Palm Oil and its economic importance, bunch or fruits preservation, striping or threshing, sterilisation/boiling of Palm fruits, digestion and pressing of pulp, packaging, marketing and storage among others.

2.5.3.5 National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Examination

The Business Advisory Centre during the review year facilitated a National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Examination for masters and graduate apprentice in hairdressing with nine female participants.

2.5.3.6 Business Counselling and Monitoring

In the period under review, fifty one (51) entrepreneurs were visited by the staff of the BAC in collaboration with Assembly to help have first hand information on clients concerns and also help build and sustain their businesses as the counselling and monitoring help boost clients confidence to deliver good customer services. It could be realised that, the entrepreneurs visited during the year under review was far below the number visited the previous year that is one hundred and fifty five entrepreneurs. It is due to the challenge of office of the BAC being under resourced hence unable to undergo their monitoring and counselling activities on timely basis. Out of the fifty entrepreneurs visited, thirty two were males and nineteen females. The challenge of the entrepreneurs was the inability to access loans from banks to prop their businesses.

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2.5.4 Agriculture

During the year under review the district agric department had been allocated with five green houses to be constructed in Yayaso. The district agriculture department in the year intensified education on prevention of bush fire (as the incident of bush fire in the dry season is always) and post harvest loss reduction. The department also nursed 5,000 seedlings of oil palm.

TABLE 9: MAJOR CROP PERFORMANCE Commodity Cultivated area (ha) Yield (MT/ha) Production (MT) Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016

Maize 10,764.0 10,943.0 1.6 1.9 17,222.4 20,791.7 Rice 1,653.0 1,543.0 4.9 3.5 8,099.7 5,400.5 (milled) Cassava 12,009.0 11,654.0 22.3 21.9 267,800.7 255,222.6

Yam 1,646.0 1,423.0 14.7 12.0 24,196.2 17,076.0

Cocoyam 2,293.0 2,135.0 6.9 7.3 15,821.7 15,585.5

Plantain 10,734.0 10,723.0 10.1 10.5 108,413.4 112,591.5

OILPALM 15,925.0 17,632.0 12.6 14.4 200,655.0 253,900.8

CITRUS 12,726.0 10,932.0 13.4 10.9 170,528.4 119,158.8

COCOA 22,435.0 22,672.0 19.3 22.6 432,995.5 512,387.2

Groundnut 0.0 0.0

Cowpea 0.0 0.0 Source: SRID, MOFA, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

During the year under review, it could be realised that due to the rainfall pattern of the district some major crops realised a decrease in yield. The major cause of yield declination can be attributed to the mining activities which have taken over farming activities in the district. Some of the farming lands have been cleared for mining. Galamsey activities have also become a problem to agricultural activities as most of the farming lands have been taken over by these Galamsey people. From the table it could be realised that cultivated area for rice production was 1,635 in 2015 but had been decreased to 1,543. Cassava has also decreased from 12,009 in 2015 to 11,654 in 2016. Yam in 2015 had a cultivated land area of 1,646 but had reduced to 1,423 in 2016. Oil Palm and Cocoa had its cultivated lands increased in 2016

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: DISTRICT PLANNING CO-ORDINATING UNITSECRETARIAT Page 35 as against 2015 figure. GOPDG and Cocoa Abrabopa during the year came out with new methods of growing tree crops hence the increment in the 2016 production in both crops.

TABLE 10: VALUE OF CROP PRODUCTION Commodity Total Crop Unit Value of Total Value of % Production Production Production (GH¢) Change (MT) (GH¢/MT) in Value Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - Annual - of 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 Product ion Maize 17,222 20,792 1,630 1,760 28,072,51 36,593,3 30.4% 2 92 Rice 8,100 5,401 4,290 5,000 34,747,71 27,002,5 -22.3% (milled) 3 00 Cassava 267,801 255,223 648 0 173,629,0 0 -100.0% 25 Yam 24,196 17,076 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Cocoyam 15,822 15,586 2,088 2,308 33,034,31 35,966,5 8.9% 9 38 Plantain 108,413 112,592 1,455 2,727 157,692,2 307,067, 94.7% 18 727 Millet 200,655 253,901 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Sorghum 170,528 119,159 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Soybean 432,996 512,387 0 0 #DIV/0!

Groundnut 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Cowpea 0 0 0 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Source: SRID, MOFA, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

2.5.5 District’s Farmers Day Celebration

As part of efforts to encourage farmers to produce more in order to boost Agricultural productivity and ensure food security, the District joined the Nation on the celebration of the National Farmers Day on Friday, the 3rd of November, 2016 on the theme “Agriculture: A Business Response to Economic Growth”. The 32nd National Farmers’ Day was held at Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region. The held its celebration at Koforidua whiles the Birim North District observed the celebration at Praso Kuma.

The well attended ceremony saw Twenty (20) gallant farmers receiving awards in the District comprising of six (6) females and fourteen (14) males in the various categories namely: crop production, small ruminant and poultry rearing. The overall best farmer in the Birim North

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District for the year ending 2016 was Mrs. Lydia Koffie from Abenaso. She has 92 acres of crop production land comprising of 10 acres for Cocoa, 45 acres for Oil Palm, 8 acres for Maize, 8 acres for Plantain and Banana, 121/2 acres for Vegetables, 3 acres for cassava and 6 acres for Cocoyam. In the area of small ruminant and poultry, she has 25 Goat, 10 Sheep and 50 local poultry. In the history of the district in the celebration of the National Farmers’ Day, Mrs. Lydia Koffie is the first female to have won the overall best farmer.

The ceremony had support from many institutions like Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, a mining company in the district. The company donated various items which includes a table top fridge, sixty (60) pieces of cutlasses, six (6) wax prints, five (5) bicycle and four (4) knapsack sprayers to the Assembly.

The occasion was also used to educate farmers on the importance of adapting good agricultural technologies and further educate the general public on the dangers of bush fires and its preventive measures.

2.5.6 Health Education and Screening of Food Vendors During the quarter under review, the District Environmental Health Unit in collaboration with the Ghana Health Services undertook the above exercise for all food and drink vendors in line with the Assembly’s Policy on preventive health care. A total of One Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Four (1,464) vendors comprising 91% females and 9% males were educated and screened for communicable diseases while those found to be infected were referred to the Hospital for further treatment. A careful look at the figure indicate that, there is a slight decrease of 10.5% in the number of screened vendors using 2015 figure of 1,635 as the base year. This was due to the fact that, the year was an election year and most vendors wanted to use the opportunity to make demands from the Assembly. Some of the demands include the tarring of roads, extension of electricity among other. The Assembly (District Environmental Health Officer in collaboration with GHS)- took the opportunity to explain to the community on the need for the screening whiles the Assembly members for such areas were also contacted to help educate food vendors in their various jurisdictions.

2.5.7 PUSHING AND LEVELLING OF REFUSE DUMP SITES The DEHO in collaboration with (through) Landfill & Dumping Site Management Services and Zoomlion Ghana Limited undertook the above exercise within thirteen (13) communities

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: DISTRICT PLANNING CO-ORDINATING UNITSECRETARIAT Page 37 in the quarter under review. These communities include New Abirem – Abaase, Mamanso, Mpintimpi, Nwinso, Amoa etc.

The District Environmental Health Unit in collaboration with Zoomlion under auspice of MLGRD in the period under review organized National Sanitation Day (NSD) in the district i.e. 2nd JULY, 6TH AUGUST AND 3RD SEPTEMBER 2016. The NSD was highly patronized by people from all walks of life led by the DCE, Hon. Paul Aboagye Dadzie, and DEHO and DA staffs. Work done includes distilling of chocked gutters, weeding and sweeping in all the major towns.

2.5.8 Hygiene Education and Clean Up Campaigns

In the period under review, the District joined the rest of the nation to observe the National Sanitation Days. Patronage was always encouraging. The exercise was however undermined by inadequate cleaning kits and waste disposal containers. At the last quarter of the year, the exercise realised a low patronage due to the construction work on the NewAbirem road. In respect of that, much efforts were put in the communication aspect where the populace where educated on good hygiene through the information van which moves in and around the communities. The information centres in the communities were also make good use in the aspect of creating awareness among the populace.

2.5.9 School Feeding Programme

The school feeding programme covered eleven (11) schools for the year under review with a total school population of 5,149 representing 6.1% increment from the previous year’s enrolment figure of 4,852. The programme has contributed immensely to school enrolment and retention. It is hoped that it will be extended to cover the rest of the schools in the District. The programme was however challenged by late release of funds. As part of measures to ensure sustainability and also improve the local economy, caterers must be allowed to purchase at least 60% of their food stuffs from the farm gate within the District. The schools currently benefiting from the programme are:

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TABLE 11: SCHOOLS BENEFITING FROM THE SFP S/N NAME OF SCHOOL ENROLMENT

1 Nwinso Methodist Prim & KG 470

2 Ntronang Presby Prim & KG 974

3 Ntronang R/C Prim. A & B & KG 672

4 Nkwarteng Presby A & B SDA 974

5 Mamanso Islamic Primary 460

6 Okaikrom Presby Prim. Sch. 270

7 Amoah Presby Prim. & KG 271

8 Praso Kumah Presby Prim. 263

9 Old Abirem Anglican Prim. 263

10 Afosu Islamic Primary 205

11 Hweakae R/C Primary. 327

TOTAL 5,146

Source: Desk Officer, BNDA, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

2.5.10 Youth Employment Agency (YEA)

The Youth Employment Agency during the year trained One Hundred and Eighty Four unemployed youth under six modules.

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TABLE 12: CATEGORY OF YEA MODULES FOR 2016)

Module Number trained Total

Male Female

Community Police Assistant (CPA) 12 5 17

Environmental Protection Officers (EPO) 2 2 4

Youth In Fire Support (YIFS) 9 2 11

Community Health Workers (CHW) 28 42 70

Community Education Teaching Assistant (CETA) 38 32 70

Community Education Teaching Assistant (CETA) - 12 12

Arabic

Total 101 83 184 Source: YEA office, New Abirem, September, 2016

From the table above, community health workers and community education teaching assistants were the major module that had a lot of beneficiaries followed by community police assistant and community education teaching assistant in Arabic, youth in fire support and environmental protection officers in that order.

Furthermore, considering the gender parity with regard to the various modules, it can be realised from the table above that with community health workers, more females were recruited than their male counterparts whiles community education teaching assistant had more male recruited than their female counterparts.

Conclusively, about 55% of the total recruitment went to the male beneficiaries while the rest 45% went to the female beneficiaries. This margin could be attributed to the galamsey activities that were considered to be a lucrative job and hence more of the males might have opted to join the galamsey instead of the youth employment modules. It must be emphasized that the male representative is not remarkable; and that more males should be encouraged and recruited in subsequence recruitment exercise.

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2.5.11 Support To People With Disabilities The Assembly, in the period under review, made significant contribution to the welfare of people with disabilities in the District. In line with the Assembly’s Disability Policy, a sum of Twenty One Thousand Three Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 21,300.00) was disbursed among Ninety Six (96) PWDs under the area of education, income generation and health. The break down is shown in the table below:

TABLE 13: CATEGORY OF PWD SUPPORTED NATURE OF CATEGORY TOTAL

DISABILITY TRADING EDUCATION MEDICALS

Blind 20 2 - 22

Walking 24 14 10 48

Deaf / Dumb 17 9 - 26

Total 61 25 10 96

Source: DSD office, BNDA-New Abirem, Dec. 2016

2.5.12 Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Expansion Programme

Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme is a social cash transfer programme that provides cash and health insurance to the extremely poor households across the country with the aim of alleviating short-term poverty whiles encouraging long-term human capital development. This programme is administered by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and managed by the Department of Social Development. At the time of compiling this report, the Birim North office of the Department of Social Development under the above programme had disbursed the sum of Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Eight Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 20,928.00) among Forty Four (44) households in thirteen communities within the District.

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2.5.13 District National Health Insurance Scheme

TABLE 14: CATEGORY OF BIRIM NORTH NHIS FOR THE YEAR 2016 CATEGORIES DISAGGREGATION

MALE FEMALE TOTAL

SSNIT CONTRIBUTORS 1,426 834 2,260

FULL PREMIUM 5,849 10,365 16,214

PENSIONEERS 75 25 100

UNDER 18 YEARS 15,183 16,052 31,235

ABOVE 70 YEARS BUT NOT 946 1,826 2,772 PENSIONEERS

PREGNANT WOMEN 3,439 3,439

INDIGENT 5,997 7,269 13,266

TOTAL CONTRIBUTORS 28,476 39,808 69,286

Source: Birim North NHIS office, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

Analysis of the above table indicates that, the District Health Insurance Scheme continue to decrease even though there have been sustained public education and issuance of instant membership cards. Tentatively, the membership realised a slight decrease from 78,378 in 2014 to 77,671 in 2015 representing 0.9% decrement. In the year under review, the membership further decreased from 77,671 to 69,286 in 2016 representing 10.8% decrement. Comparatively, the District Health Insurance Scheme in the year 2016 set a target of 78,760 out of which 69,286 was achieved representing 88%. The decrement in the membership could be attributed to the fact that, there had been frequent BMS network constraints (frequent downtime) where clients have to visit the facility twice or thrice within a week before being registered. In the period under review, the Birim North and Akyemansa District Assemblies in collaboration with the Birim North National Health Insurance office opened a registration and data capturing centre at Abenase and had a successful rollout of pilot E-Receipt at all registration and data centres. There was also a successful rollout of pilot E-Authentication of membership status and generation of CCC at New Abirem Government Hospital. Community registration and client satisfaction survey were conducted during the year under review.

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Fig. 4 Birim North NHIS for the year 2016

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000 MALE

5,000 FEMALE TOTAL 0

2.5.14 HEALTH

In line with the vision to reduce child mortality in line with SDG 3 target 3.2, the Assembly is supporting the District Health Administration to undertake preventive and curative disease control programmes such as National Immunisation Days (NID), community based surveillance and control of neglected tropical and emerging diseases.

2.5.15 TOP TEN OPD CASES, 2014 - 2016

NO 2014 2015 As at November, 2016

DISEASES CASES DISEASES CASES DISEASES CASES

1 Malaria 29834 Malaria 48825 Malaria 38256

2 URTI 12931 URTI 11476 URTI 23141

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3 Rheumatism 7709 Rheumatism 9760 Rheumatism 10797 and Joint and Joint and Joint pains pains pains

4 Anaemea 4856 Anaemea 6037 Anaemea 7206

5 Skin 4848 Intestinal 4855 Intestinal 5351 Diseases worms worms

6 Diarrhoea 4192 Diarrhoea 4775 Skin 4729 Diseases Diseases Diseases

7 Intestinal 3364 Skin 4578 Diarrhoea 3862 worms Diseases Diseases

8 AUTI 2208 AUTI 2585 AUTI 2529

9 Hypertension 1327 Otitis Media 1135 Acute Eye 1160 Infection

10 Acute Eye 1074 Typhoid 1100 Ulcers 1101 Infection Fever

Source: Birim North-GHS, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

A careful study of the top ten OPD cases indicates that, Malaria had been on the lead for three (3) consecutive years. Tentatively, four (4) diseases Malaria, URTI, Rheumatism and Joint pains and Anaemea had been on the top four cases among the top ten OPD cases in three consecutive years. The top four cases also have its figures increasing throughout the consecutive years with the exception of URTI which had a lesser figure in 2015 as against 2014 figure thus a reduction of 11.3%. Malaria figure in 2016 has reduced by 22% from the previous year’s figure but because the figure is as at November, the 22% reduction cannot be authenticated.

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Fig. 5 Top ten OPD cases 2014 CASES 1327 3364 1074 2208 Malaria 4192 URTI 4848 29834 Rheumatism and Joint pains 4856 Anaemea Skin Diseases 7709 Diarrhoea Diseases 12931 Intestinal worms AUTI Hypertension

2015 CASES 1135 4578 2585 1100 Malaria 4775 URTI 4855 Rheumatism and Joint pains 6037 Anaemea 48825 9760 Intestinal worms Diarrhoea Diseases 11476 Skin Diseases AUTI Otitis Media Typhoid Fever

As at November, 2016 CASES

2529 1101 1160 Malaria 4729 3862 URTI 5351 Rheumatism and Joint pains 38256 Anaemea 7206 Intestinal worms Skin Diseases 10797 Diarrhoea Diseases AUTI 23141 Acute Eye Infection Ulcers

Source: Birim North - GHS, New Abirem, Dec. 2016

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During the year under review, some key health promotion activities were carried out throughout the District in the areas of maternal and child health, malaria prevention and control, education on TB and other health related issues.

2.5.16 CHILD HEALTH PROMOTION WEEK

During the year under review, the health directorate in collaboration with all other health facilities in the District with support from the District Assembly celebrated the Child Health Promotion Week in the areas of growth monitoring, immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, health education in general, food demonstration and demonstration on hand washing.

2.5.17 School Health Education

School health services were organized in the various schools within the district and the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with Ghana Education Service with support from the Birim North District Assembly also organized health education campaign in twenty – one (21) basic schools within the district. The pupils were taken through Sanitation, Personal hygiene and Use of LLINs. In all, Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty – Six (6,936) pupils were covered.

2.5.18 World AIDS Day Celebration

The Birim North District Assembly in collaboration with the District Health Directorate celebrated the 2016 world AIDS day on the 1st December, 2016. Education on HIV/AIDS was given at the New Abirem market and during the National Farmers Day celebration at Nyafoman. Both female & male condoms and leaflets were distributed during the celebration.

2.5.19 Capacity Building Programmes

For the year under review, the Birim North District in collaboration with the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana) organised a capacity building workshop for all staffs of the Assembly. The exercise formed part of the efforts to address the capacity gaps in the Assembly.

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2.5.20 Evaluation And Participatory Monitoring And Evaluation One of the key feature of the District development efforts which have been missing as a linkage is the strong commitment to conduct vigorous impact evaluations.

Mid-term, annual and terminal evaluation of the DMTDP would be conducted. DPCU will also assess the performance of all projects and programmes when completed to ascertain if the interventions had achieved its original objectives and assess the overall changes caused by the interventions.

The DPCU will also need to examine the relevance of the development effectiveness of all projects with reference to the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework 2014 - 2017. These evaluations will serve to improve management and provide experience for effective programme design and implementation.

The DPCU in addition can also commission other studies. For instance, the evaluation will determine whether the provision of potable water has resulted in reduction in water borne diseases or the provision of education infrastructure has affected BECE results positively.

Evaluation is the periodic assessment and review of the extent to which the goal and objectives of an activity has been accomplished. Evaluation can be done at the end of a phase or at the end of the entire project.

To obtain a firsthand information on the success or otherwise of the project, the beneficiary communities must be encouraged to do their own evaluation.

The general aim of any evaluation is always to learn from experience in order to apply the lessons learned to improve programme planning and implementation and to replicate successful programmes.

In order to know the perceptions and benefits of the interventions, it is appropriate to undertake participatory M and E especially among the poor and the vulnerable in society to see whether their expectations have been met. This method will be effective if only there is effective education and awareness creation among the beneficiaries and to involve them in the selection of indicators to monitor. The basis of participatory M and E is to promote partnerships between the District Assembly, NGOs, CBOs and the local communities.

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Where NGOs/CBOs are active in the District, they could be engaged by the District Assembly to provide training, capacity building and strengthening of local counterparts in participatory M and E methods.

The DPCU will rely on tools and methodologies for social analysis and participatory impact assessment such as

 Citizen report cards  Community score cards  Focus group discussion  Participatory expenditure tracking of social service expenditure  Tracking of social services expenditure

2.5.21 NEWMONT AKYEM DEVELOPMENT FUND (NAkDeF) For the year under review, Social Accountability Forum (SRF) meeting which discusses issues pertaining to the Ten (10) affected communities by Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd. which is spearheaded by Newmont Akyem Development Foundation (NAkDeF) was organised. The main issues discussed at the meeting include update of projects and programmes of the foundation for the affected communities, funds received from Newmont for progress of activities. NAkDeF in collaboration with Ghana Education Service initiated a program named Education Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP) which seeks to improve the quality of education at the basic level in the ten communities. Akyem Soft Skills and Sustainability Training (ASSIST) program has been initiated by the foundation which also seek to improve and sustain the employable skills of the Newmont Akyem Mine communities. The program has three components thus; ten beneficiaries have started training at Newmont for six months whiles over forty beneficiaries have also started leadership and skills training at Asankare and Artisanal training with Master craftsmen/women to begin in two weeks. Furthermore, discussions are on-going with GIZ to scale up ASSIST with some new projects. Newmont Akyem Development Foundation in the quarter also initiated the Oil Palm Plantation Project. Tentatively, about twenty nine acres of farm land had been procured for the resettlement community for the project which has generated about twenty jobs for the community members. Additionally, management met with market women for the allocations

BIRIM NORTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY: DISTRICT PLANNING CO-ORDINATING UNITSECRETARIAT Page 48 and sharing of market sheds for final the preparation towards the relocation to the new market. Akoase Methodist, Omanekrom and Odontuase school blocks were also commissioned by the Regional Minister, Hon. Mavis Ama Frimpong with the District Chief Executive, Hon. Paul Aboagye Dadzie and Nananom of the areas and other stakeholders. This implies that, accessibility to education had been improved district-wide with much emphasis to Akoase, Omanekrom, Odontuase and its sounding communities.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.0 The Way Forward

3.1 Issues Addressed And Those Yet To Be Addressed

Examination of events which took place and their resultant effects within the reporting period includes:

1. Public education on payment of revenue was high. 2. Public education on malaria, HIV/AIDS, cholera and Ebola. 3. More efforts in the management of sanitation. 4. Provision of educational infrastructure including Institutional latrines and hand washing facilities. 5. Provision of potable water facilities for needy communities increased. 6. Strong collaboration between the District Assembly and its development partners. 7. Public education on building regulations.

3.2 Street Naming and Property Addressing (SNPA) Exercise

The District in the review year made immense improvement in the implementation of the President’s vision on the above exercise. In the year under review, Unique Parcel Numbers (UPN) and property numbers were generated. The main challenge facing the implementation of the project is the lack of funds and also lack of vehicle to conduct field/site monitoring.

3.3 Recommendations

(a) The capacity of the District Assembly particularly in the area of planning, financial management, procurement and Monitoring and Evaluation skills should be enhanced by training programme and refresher courses. (b) Internal revenue mobilization and generation should be stepped up with the involvement of internal auditors and other stakeholders.

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(c) There should be continuous revenue sources identification through data collection and updating of information. The resultant indicators will assist in the setting up of revenue and development targets for the District. (d) The eminent halt in the implementation of fiscal decentralization and the operationalisation of the composite budget is a course to worry about. (e) The guidelines for utilization of DACF which restricts the District in its usage of the funds should be made flexible to allow Assemblies to allocate more resources to sectors where most needed. (f) The high incidence of unauthorized deductions at the DACF secretariat should also be halted and applied only with the agreed consent of the Assemblies. (g) Under the school feeding programme, there should be adequate supervision.

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