We'll transform Kumasi - Jumah

Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has assured residents of the metropolis and Ghanaians as a whole of the unbending resolve of his administration to transform Kumasi into the most modern and cosmopolitan city in the sub-region.

“This new administration under my leadership, is far advanced in the laying down of the requisite infrastructure, the motivation of the personnel of the assembly and the positive orientation of the people of the metropolis, all of which would result in Kumasi being transformed into a city of excellence where everyone would be willing and proud to visit and reside in,” he stressed. Mr Jumah, who is also popularly known as Kofi Ghana gave the assurance during a visit he paid to the office of the Graphic Communications Group Limited on Wednesday to acquaint himself with the business of the company. He was accompanied by a number of officials of the KMA.

According to Mr Jumah, an integrated and holistic approach was now being adopted not only in resolving problems that plague the city but also in the management of the affairs of the metropolis.

“A city of the stature of Kumasi which possesses great potentials, can no longer tie itself down to groping about solutions to garbage or waste control but has to go beyond finding durable and more scientific solutions to other problems such as poor infrastructure ill equipped schools and lack of other amenities that contribute to make life worth living for the people”.

“In addition to these, we have so resolutely waged a relentless campaign against incompetence, corruption, waste and indiscipline that the success we have chalked in this respect is helping in more businesses to the metropolis. This should help provide not only greater income for the assembly but also more jobs and better incomes to help improve the lot of the people” he stressed. The KMA Chief Executive said that his greatest strength in the bid to positively transform the city, lies in the total consultation with and involvement of the people in the making and implementation of decisions of the assembly.

“From the ordinary man through the Assembly members to Nana Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, I believe all have a part and stake in working for the progress of our great city and I will never sacrifice this great principle” he stressed. He called on the incoming Assembly members and the people of the metropolis to exploit this open door policy so that together they would have restore Kumasi to the status it rightly deserves.

Mr Jumah, however lamented the serious constraints of funds vis-a-vis the quantum of development projects and programmes the assembly has to contend with and served notice of the unveiling of a consultative process that would lend a boost to efforts to significantly boost revenue generation of the assembly.

He pointed out that whilst the metropolis of Accra, with a slightly bigger population than Kumasi has an operating budget of ?27 billion for 2001/2002, the latter (Kumasi) for the same period has to contend with a much smaller budget of ?7 billion.

“This is not to mention the fact that Accra the capital where all the big personalities of government live, gets most of the attention of the government for infrastructure and other developmental projects compared with Kumasi and others which in the main, has to rely on itself he contended.

He pointed out that the task of developing and running modern cities like Kumasi was an expensive exercise.

“We, therefore, have to bite the bullet. Either the people pay for a better city with enhanced services or the government pays for it. There is no other way” he stressed.

On the controversy surrounding the privatisation of the Kejetia market, Mr Jumah explained that the agreement reached with the world Bank which financed the project stipulated that it should be given to private firms to run upon completion. He categorically denied allegations of impropriety on his part in the a award of the contract to Freko F D Limited to run the place.

“The bidding process and award of contract was completed way back in February 2001, long before I assumed office at the KMA. I could, therefore, not influenced the bidding and contract, he said. He accused Messrs Kaabre Company Limited, which lost the contract on account of a lower bid for the project, of spreading lies to discredit him and the KMA.

“I challenge Kaabre to go to court to challenge the KMA over the said contract if it (Kaabre) thinks it has been unfairly treated.

Asked why he is called Kofi Ghana, he said “my father Ofori Jumah who was a CPP MP in the early 1950’s gave me that name in anticipation of my future role in Ghanaian politics. This name since stuck. How prophetic