A candidate vying for the position of Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Wisdom Seade, has underscored the importance of stakeholder engagement and infrastructure development in transforming the municipality.

Speaking after his vetting by the committee in Ho, Mr Seade outlined his vision for tourism, community-driven projects, and coastal protection as key pillars of his agenda if given the mandate.

He highlighted the untapped tourism potential of Keta, emphasising that proper development of the serene beaches and surrounding areas would attract more visitors and boost foreign exchange.

"If we can develop those areas, we will attract more tourists, and that will bring foreign exchange. People will come around and buy from our people," he stated.

On infrastructure development, Mr Seade stressed the need for inclusive participation, drawing from his experience as a two-term assembly member.

He noted that some individuals within the municipality are even more financially capable than the assembly itself, making community engagement a crucial strategy.

"When you bring stakeholders together and they understand what you want to do, they willingly support with funds to complete projects," he explained, citing his track record of mobilizing resources for self-help projects.

Mr Seade also emphasised the need for a proactive approach in utilizing government-provided equipment for development initiatives.

He noted that projects under the District Resilience and Institutional Preparedness (DRIP) program should not remain idle due to a lack of government funding but should be leveraged through community partnerships.

"We should not just wait for government funds. Instead, we must engage the chiefs and people to collaborate and make good use of the available resources," he added.

Coastal erosion and sand winning remain major concerns in the Keta Municipality, and Mr Seade assured that he would push for the completion of the second phase of the Sea Defense project while advocating for a harbor to complement ongoing coastal protection efforts.

He also promised to engage stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions to indiscriminate sand mining, which continues to threaten the shoreline.

Mr Seade concluded by emphasising the need for continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, stating that without public buy-in, projects and policies would face resistance.

"Stakeholder engagement from the very beginning to the end is critical. When people understand that the problem is a shared one, they will work together towards a common solution," he remarked.

His vetting in Ho marked a significant step in his bid to secure the MCE position for Keta, as he hopes to bring transformational leadership that prioritises local involvement and sustainable development.