The Paramount Chief of the Osudoku Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region, Nene Kweku-Otiti Animle VII, has renewed a passionate call for the creation of a separate Osudoku District to accelerate local development and ensure effective governance.

He made the call during a meeting with assembly members, divisional chiefs, queen mothers, and sub-chiefs of the traditional area on Thursday, October 16, 2025, where he underscored the need for closer collaboration between traditional leaders and local government representatives.

Nene Kweku-Otiti Animle VII lamented the slow pace of development in Osudoku, describing it as one of the most underdeveloped areas among the Dangme communities despite its vast land and economic potential.

“It’s about time we have our own district. If we had a separate district, our DCE and MP would be readily available to address our needs. With our own district office, police station, and hospital, development would come faster.

Assembly members can’t work in isolation — they must work with their chiefs,” he emphasised.

He announced plans to set up a task force to solicit support from companies operating in the area and called on assembly members to prioritise revenue mobilisation to fund local projects.

Calls for Separation Not New

The renewed appeal adds to long-standing calls by traditional authorities and residents for Osudoku to be carved out of the Shai-Osudoku District.

Since the district’s creation in 2008 through the merger of the former Dangme West District, the Osudoku area has consistently complained of marginalisation in development and representation.

In 2015 and 2018, traditional leaders and youth groups petitioned the Ministry of Local Government for administrative independence, arguing that the vast geographical size of the current district makes governance inefficient and resource distribution inequitable.

Similar sentiments were expressed during community durbars held in Asutuare and Osuwem in 2021 and 2023, where residents cited poor road networks, delays in social intervention programs, and limited access to government offices as reasons for separation.

Nene Kweku-Otiti Animle VII reiterated these grievances, pointing out that government initiatives often bypass Osudoku.

“Recently, sod-cutting ceremonies were held for major roads — Dawhenya to Afienya to Dodowa, and Afienya to Asutuare — but we, the traditional council, were not informed," he noted, expressing disappointment over the apparent marginalisation of the Osudoku Traditional Area.

Assembly Members Back the Proposal

The meeting was attended by 6 out of the 11 Assembly members representing the Osudoku portion of the Shai-Osudoku District. They expressed support for the paramount chief’s call and pledged to work closely with the traditional council.

The Assembly Member for the Kortorkor Electoral Area, Teye-Wayo Agbeko, who doubles as Osudoku caucus leader at the Assembly, described the chief’s proposal as timely, noting that the current district’s size hinders efficient administration.

“The district is too large. During LEAP payments, officials often complain about the lack of vehicles to reach our communities, which delays disbursement. A separate district would ensure better coordination and adequate resources,” he said.

He added that collaboration between Assembly members and the traditional council would be key to addressing rampant land disputes, which he said have stalled development in many communities.

The Assembly Member for Osuwem Electoral Area, James Teye Mensah, also pledged the Assembly’s commitment to the chief’s vision.

“We shall work with you and seek your guidance. We have confidence in your leadership to drive Osudoku toward meaningful development,” he assured.

The Road Ahead

With renewed unity between the traditional authority and local representatives, Nene Kweku-Otiti Animle VII expressed optimism that the dream of a distinct Osudoku District could soon materialise.

“If we want to go far, we must go together,” he said. “Let us make a deliberate effort to ensure Osudoku develops. We must draw closer to one another and work collectively for the progress of our land.”