The Sunyani Municipal Assembly (SMA) in the Bono region has called for very effective collaboration with the Sunyani Stakeholders for Development Association (SSDA) and other development-oriented groups to fast-track the Municipality’s socio-economic progress.

The Development Planning Officer for the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, Haruna Abdulai, placed the demand in Sunyani when the association visited the management of the assembly as part of its three weeks tour of institutions and organisations in the Municipality.

The visit was to identify the association with both public and private institutions and organisations to strengthen inter-stakeholders relationships for effective dialogue to facilitate the implementation of projects as one of its core objectives.

Mr. Abdulai said development issues are a shared responsibility that must be the concern of every citizen and residents of an area and not the sole responsibility of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

"Wheelbarrow pushers, hawkers, students, apprentices, businessmen, public and civil servants as well as professional associations are all potential stakeholders because the input of everyone is required for socio-economic development decision-taking process,” he added.

The Association had earlier visited three institutions including the Sunyani Regional Hospital, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Cardinal Newton, lauded the leadership of SSDA for the initiative, saying, "we want that partnership to campaign for things that will speed up the development of the Sunyani Municipality”.

Vice-Chairman for the SSDA, Michael Asare Yeboah, said the group was established at the request of the Paramount Chief of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawri II.

He explained that membership of the association is made up of entrepreneurs, lawyers, medical practitioners, traditional rulers, and other professionals, adding “we will soon begin rolling out our programmes for the accelerated development of the Sunyani municipal area.