Enhancing Transparency and Community Engagement in Anloga District
The leadership of the Anloga District Assembly, under the guidance of Madam Seyram Sandra Kpedor, the District Chief Executive, has successfully completed a comprehensive Premix Fuel Accountability Series programme across several coastal communities. This initiative aimed to promote transparency and strengthen local governance by engaging key stakeholders in the fishing sector.
The programme spanned various fishing communities within the district, including Woe, Tegbi, Atorkor, Dzita, Atiteti, Srogboe, and Whuti. These engagements brought together Landing Beach Committees, community leaders, canoe owners, fisherfolk, and residents. The focus was on financial accountability and community development, ensuring that the proceeds from premix fuel sales directly benefited the host communities.
Madam Seyram Sandra Kpedor, along with Mr Rolex Agbey Miheso, the NDC Constituency chairman and a key stakeholder of the District Premix fuel committee, led the series. Their efforts were supported by other technical officials of the Assembly, who worked to ensure that revenues generated from premix fuel distribution were properly accounted for and reinvested into the communities where the fuel was sold.
Central to the discussions was the enforcement of a policy that allocates 53 per cent of premix fuel proceeds to beneficiary communities for developmental purposes. The DCE emphasized her commitment to ensuring that the communities’ share is deposited into their respective bank accounts and used strictly for development projects that improve the lives of the people.
The final phase of the tour, which covered Srogboe, Atorkor, and Whuti over the weekend, marked the conclusion of the district-wide exercise. The leadership of the Assembly described the exercise as insightful and necessary, providing a clearer understanding of the operational challenges and successes associated with premix fuel distribution in coastal communities.
These insights will inform future policy direction and strengthen oversight mechanisms. Madam Sandra also issued a strong caution to all Landing Beach Committees to adhere strictly to established financial guidelines, particularly the mandatory allocation of the community’s share from each consignment of premix fuel received.
“I strongly caution all Landing Beach Committees to comply fully with the provisions governing premix fuel revenue distribution. Accountability is non-negotiable, and any deviations will be addressed in accordance with the law,” the DCE warned.
In a significant step toward enforcing accountability, the DCE announced that all accounts of Landing Beach Committees within the district will undergo a comprehensive audit by independent external auditors. The audit will cover nine years from 2017 to 2026, to ensure transparency, identify discrepancies, and restore public confidence in the management of premix fuel proceeds.
The Landing Beach Committee executives, canoe owners, and fishermen who participated in the exercise described it as timely and appropriate. They assured the District Chief Executive and accompanying officials of their commitment to operating strictly within the confines of the law to ensure that their respective communities fully benefit from the premix fuel policy.
Ghana’s premix fuel policy provides significant subsidies covering up to 85 per cent of fuel costs for the artisanal fishing sector, intending to reduce operational expenses for fishers and sustain livelihoods. The system is administered by the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, established under Legislative Instrument 2233, and implemented through Landing Beach Committees responsible for local distribution.
The Premix Fuel Accountability Series is widely regarded as a bold governance initiative that reinforces the district’s commitment to transparency, community participation, and sustainable development within Anloga’s vital fishing economy.
