The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, says she was not surprised by her recognition as Best Regional Minister, insisting that the award reflects her performance in office and the impact of her work in the region.
According to her, the recognition serves as motivation to do more, adding that she believes her efforts in the region justify the honour.
She pointed out that she has undertaken several interventions across key sectors in the Greater Accra Region and believes her work has earned public acknowledgement.
The Minister highlighted interventions in areas including sanitation, chieftaincy disputes, street lighting, boundary issues, and flood management as part of her achievements.
“I wasn’t surprised by the award I received because sometimes I keep telling people that the little efforts you do when people recognise what you are doing, and they give you that recognition, it empowers you to do more.
“I know I’ve done a lot for the good people of Greater Accra. Yes, expectations are high though but I think I’ve done a lot that I deserve that recognition and so to God be the glory.
“I have tackled sanitation within Greater Accra Region. I have tackled chieftaincy disputes within the Greater Accra Region. I have tackled street lighting within the Greater Accra Region. I have tackled boundary issues within the Greater Accra Region,” she said in an interview with Asaase Radio on Monday, June 8.
Madam Ocloo also referenced efforts to address flooding challenges in the region, including demolition exercises she says were carried out to prevent construction on waterways and Ramsar sites. She however acknowledged that some of her decisions, particularly demolition exercises, have made her unpopular among sections of the public.
“I tackled flooding within the Greater Accra Region… knowing very well that some of the buildings at Ramsar sites will have effect when it rains, I went on and I did a lot of demolition. Hence, I have a lot of people that hate me because of this demolition exercise,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has directed all Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions, and other political appointees to refrain from participating in or accepting awards from private organisations without prior authorisation from the Office of the President.
The directive, issued by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, follows concerns raised by President John Dramani Mahama over the growing trend of public officials being honoured by private bodies as “best-performing”, “most outstanding”, or “most influential” office holders.
According to the Presidency, many of these organisations are largely unknown to the public, have unclear credentials, and lack transparent or verifiable criteria for assessing the performance of public officials.
