On 24th September, 2026, the North Dayi District Assembly, under the leadership of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Ernest Adevor, organized a community engagement session at the Vakpo Afeye E.P. Church as part of efforts to strengthen citizen participation in governance and promote transparency and accountability in local development. The engagement formed part of the Assembly’s commitment to deepening participatory democracy by creating a platform for citizens to interact directly with district authorities and receive firsthand information on development initiatives being undertaken across the district.
The event attracted a large gathering of stakeholders from the Vakpo Traditional Area and beyond. Present at the engagement were the Paramount Chief of the Vakpo Traditional Area, Togbega Gbogbolulu V and his sub-chiefs, the Presiding Member of the North Dayi District Assembly, Hon. Assembly Members from the Vakpo Electoral Areas, the North Dayi District Coordinating Director, Heads of Departments and Units of the Assembly, as well as members of the general public. Citizens across the Vakpo Traditional Area attended the programme in their numbers, demonstrating keen interest in local governance and development matters.
In his address, Hon. Ernest Adevor made a comprehensive presentation on development interventions implemented by the Assembly across the district. The presentation highlighted completed projects as well as ongoing infrastructure and social development initiatives in sectors such as education, health, roads, water and sanitation, agriculture, and local economic development. The DCE provided detailed updates on project locations, implementation status, funding arrangements, and the anticipated impact of these interventions on the socio-economic well-being of residents.
Hon. Adevor emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring equitable distribution of development projects throughout the district and reaffirmed the importance of community participation in the planning and monitoring of these projects. He further underscored the government’s determination to improve the living conditions of residents through strategic investments in infrastructure and social services.
A major feature of the engagement was the open forum session, which allowed citizens to actively participate in discussions. Community members took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications on several ongoing and completed projects within the district. Issues raised included concerns regarding project implementation timelines, the pace of work on certain infrastructure projects, project quality standards, and the status of some stalled development initiatives.
Responding to the concerns raised, Hon. Ernest Adevor provided detailed explanations and clarifications on the various projects. He addressed questions surrounding ongoing works and explained factors that had contributed to delays in the execution of some projects. The DCE assured participants that the Assembly was continuously engaging contractors and relevant stakeholders to ensure that delayed projects were completed within reasonable timeframes. He further reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to supervising projects effectively to guarantee value for money and quality delivery.
During the discussions, the Paramount Chief of the Vakpo Traditional Area, Togbega Gbogbolulu V, commended the Assembly for engaging citizens directly on development issues. He expressed concern over the absence of contractors on some project sites and appealed to the District Chief Executive to facilitate the immediate return of contractors to ongoing projects at the Vakpo Senior High and Technical School (VASTEC) and Vakpo Senior High School (VASEC). Togbega Gbogbolulu V stressed the need for the speedy completion of these projects in order to maximize their benefits to students, staff, and the wider community.
In response, Hon. Ernest Adevor acknowledged the concerns raised by the Paramount Chief and assured the gathering that the Assembly would continue to engage the contractors and other relevant authorities to address the challenges affecting project implementation. He reiterated the Assembly’s determination to ensure that all ongoing projects are completed to enhance development outcomes within the district.
The community engagement was characterized by active participation, constructive dialogue, and mutual respect between citizens and district authorities. Participants expressed appreciation to the North Dayi District Assembly for providing an open and transparent platform through which residents could obtain information on development projects and contribute meaningfully to local governance processes.
Attendance records showed a total participation of 401 people, comprising 178 women and 223 men. The impressive turnout underscored the growing interest of citizens in governance and development issues affecting their communities.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by both district authorities and community members to work collaboratively towards accelerating development in the North Dayi District. The engagement reinforced the Assembly’s dedication to accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance while strengthening the relationship between local authorities and the people they serve.
The community engagement at Vakpo Afeye E.P. Church provided an important platform for information sharing, accountability, and citizen participation in governance. Through the comprehensive presentation delivered by Hon. Ernest Adevor and the interactive discussions that followed, residents gained valuable insights into completed and ongoing development projects within the district. The programme further demonstrated the North Dayi District Assembly’s commitment to promoting inclusive development through active stakeholder engagement and responsive local governance.
