The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA), Mr. George Justice Arthur, has reiterated his commitment to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of academia to transform the Metropolis.
He is, therefore, calling on faculty members of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to support him in accelerating the development of the area.
The MCE made this known during an interaction with the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Aheto, and some members of management when he paid a visit to the University.
The visit was to seek the support and partnership of UCC management as the CCMA prepares to implement its eight-year development plan between 2026 and 2033, which is expected to create jobs and promote quality education and the socio-economic well-being of the people.
He said the development plan hinges on five thematic areas, including economic growth and job creation, infrastructure and urban development, social and human capital development, environmental sustainability and climate action, as well as good governance and institutional strengthening, service delivery, health services management, youth and social development.
Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA), Mr. George Justice Arthur
Continuing, he indicated that the Assembly intends to undertake several events in 2026, including a Tourism Summit, Investment and Business Summit, and Green and Get Free, among others.
He gave the assurance that he would work tirelessly to ensure that all stalled projects on campus under GETFund were completed on schedule.
He also implored UCC management to assist the Assembly in its revenue mobilisation efforts by providing records of hostels in the vicinity of the University so that the Assembly could generate revenue through building permits.
Mr. Arthur further appealed to the University management to prioritise people from Cape Coast when offering job opportunities to Ghanaians.
Welcoming the MCE and his entourage, Prof. Aheto commended Mr. George Justice Arthur for his vision to launch an eight-year development plan to project and accelerate social and infrastructural development in the CCMA.
He assured the MCE that the University would support him in achieving his vision for the area and would make its human resources available to the Assembly.
Prof. Denis Aheto
Prof. Aheto also advised the MCE to incorporate into the development plan the benefits of the blue economy and some of the faculty’s research areas, including the Fosu Lagoon, to generate revenue for the Assembly.
He added that UCC would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assembly to achieve mutual benefits.
He used the opportunity to speak extensively about the encroachment on the University’s lands by some residents and urged the MCE to use his good office to address the problem.