Ho not yet Metropolis – MP Clarifies
The Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu, has clarified that the Ho Municipal Assembly has not yet been elevated to metropolitan status, contrary to recent public claims.
He explained that no Legislative Instrument (L.I.) has been laid before Parliament to formalize the upgrade, stressing that the legislative process is the only means by which Ho can attain metropolitan status.
“The critical requirement is the laying of a Legislative Instrument before Parliament. This will be done during the third session of the Ninth Parliament, after which the L.I. must mature within the mandatory 21-day period before Ho can officially be declared a metropolis,” Mr. Kpotosu said.
The MP underscored the importance of the upgrade, noting that it would accelerate socio-economic development in areas such as fishing, urban infrastructure, and local governance. He added that metropolitan status would grant Ho greater administrative autonomy and attract new investment opportunities to the Volta Region’s capital.
Expressing concern, Mr. Kpotosu pointed out that discussions about the elevation have spanned four consecutive parliaments without any concrete legislative action. He cautioned that some recent pronouncements were nothing more than “optical shows,” warning stakeholders against misleading the public.
He urged residents to remain patient and await official confirmation, emphasizing that only after the passage of the Legislative Instrument will Ho be able to establish sub-metros and enjoy the full benefits of metropolitan status.
The clarification comes at a time of heightened public interest in the matter, as many residents anticipate the transformation of Ho into a metropolis with improved infrastructure and expanded development opportunities.