The newly confirmed Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Cape Coast, Mr. George Justice Arthur, has outlined a vision for transforming the city into an example of development, tourism, and cleanliness.
Speaking in his first official address after confirmation, Mr. Arthur expressed concern over the current state of the metropolis, describing Cape Coast’s existing “metropolitan” status as not befitting its actual condition.
He cited key challenges such as poor sanitation, inadequate street lighting, unemployment, and limited access to quality education for local children.
“Cape Coast is one of the six metropolitan assemblies in Ghana, but we are not living up to that status,” he said. “Our roads are in deplorable condition, sanitation is a serious issue, and our people don’t even benefit from the educational institutions that we proudly host.”
To address these issues, Mr. Arthur announced a multi-faceted development strategy, beginning with a “120-Day Policy”, which includes intensive stakeholder engagement involving assembly members, traditional leaders, health officials, the media, and the general public.
The plan, he says will conclude in collective initiatives to address Cape Coast’s most pressing concerns.
Among the major campaigns is “Operation Make Cape Coast the Cleanest City in Ghana”, which will be backed by the reintroduction of town council inspectors known in the local language as “tankas” to enforce sanitation laws, inspect homes, and ensure environmental cleanliness.
Additionally, Mr. Arthur launched “Operation Lighten Up Cape Coast” to address the worrying lack of streetlights in parts of the city, notably from the UCC area to Cape Coast’s eastern entry points.
On education, the MCE lamented that many children from Cape Coast are unable to gain admission into top senior high schools within the city, therefore pledging to work with traditional leaders, Members of Parliament, and the Ministry of Education to restore the 30% placement quota in local schools for indigenes.
Mr. Arthur also highlighted the urgent need for industrialization and job creation, noting Cape Coast’s absence of a single major factory.
He revealed plans to revive a long-abandoned shoe and garment factory project in collaboration with the Member of Parliament, Hon. George Kweku Ricketts-Hagan.
The project, he said, would begin within three months, pending the acquisition of land, and would involve community participation in its construction.
To fund these initiatives, the MCE pledged to strengthen the city’s revenue base by enforcing property rate collection, harnessing the economic potential of Cape Coast’s markets, and ensuring that all construction projects have valid permits.
He also emphasized the importance of international partnerships, noting “We have sister-city relationships with cities in China, Germany, and the United States.
We’ll deepen those ties and attract foreign investment into Cape Coast,” Mr. Arthur said, adding that some foreign and local investors have already expressed interest in working with his administration.
“We cannot depend solely on the District Assembly Common Fund. Innovation, partnership, and accountability will drive our development,” he emphasized.
Mr. Arthur concluded his remarks with a call for unity, support, and collaboration from all stakeholders, assuring residents that his leadership would be marked by transparency, action, and progress.
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