The Chief of Kotintaabig under the Sakoti Traditional Authority, Naab Bileehsong Lanwont Namoog, has called on journalists in the Upper East Region to intensify their monitoring of development projects and hold public officials accountable for delays and unfulfilled promises.
According to him, the media must go beyond reporting project announcements and groundbreaking ceremonies to consistently follow up on whether the promised projects are implemented.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East programme, the chief expressed concern about the tendency of authorities to announce development projects without ensuring that work progresses as promised.
He urged journalists to regularly revisit project sites, assess progress and demand explanations from responsible authorities when commitments are not fulfilled.
Naab Bileehsong commended the Upper East Regional Minister for visiting the Bolgatanga Stadium to assess its condition and inviting officials to examine its potential use.
He, however, stressed that the media must continue monitoring developments at the facility to ensure that the assessment translates into concrete action.
The chief also raised concerns about the poor state of streetlighting in Bolgatanga, describing the town as inadequately lit at night.
He warned that poorly lit streets could create opportunities for criminal activities and called on the relevant authorities to prioritise the repair of faulty streetlights.
Naab Bileehsong questioned why the repairs should be delayed or require intervention from Accra, arguing that restoring streetlights should be a manageable responsibility for local authorities.
He further criticised what he described as the practice of rushing to undertake development activities whenever prominent government officials, particularly the President, are expected to visit the region.
According to him, development efforts should be consistent and driven by the needs of residents rather than temporary activities intended to impress visiting dignitaries.
He urged public officials to demonstrate sustained commitment to addressing the region’s development challenges while encouraging journalists to continue demanding accountability for promises made to residents.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
