President John Mahama has announced plans for major infrastructural developments in the Afram Plains, including the construction of a 3.6-kilometre bridge over the River Afram and a 100-kilometre road network.
The initiative, he explained, would promote regional integration, boost agriculture, and attract investments into agro-processing.
President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing all ongoing and abandoned development projects in the Eastern Region, with a focus on health, roads, and education.
The President was speaking at a grand durbar at Jackson Park in Koforidua as part of his “Thank You Tour” following the NDC’s electoral victory.
President Mahama assured the chiefs and people that projects started under previous governments would not be abandoned, singling out the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua as a top priority.
He highlighted the GH¢10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure programme, which targets the expansion of roads, schools, and hospitals to drive economic growth and alleviate poverty.
The President disclosed that a recent audit of road and infrastructure contracts had uncovered double payments to some contractors. He pledged that individuals found culpable would be held accountable.
He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises, citing the implementation of the “No Stress Fee Policy” for first-year university students as one already in effect.
President Mahama was accompanied by top government and party officials, including NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, Minister of Defence, Dr Omane Boamah, and Deputy Interior Minister, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi.
He expressed gratitude to the chiefs and people of the region for their support in the December 7 elections, which he said contributed significantly to the NDC’s success.
President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II, assured the government of the chiefs’ support but urged urgent attention to the region’s poor road networks, inadequate schools, and limited healthcare services. He cited Kroboland as an area in dire need of road improvement.
Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, praised the President’s efforts in stabilising the exchange rate and welcomed the No Stress Fee Policy. He appealed for the reconstruction of the congested Koforidua Central Market to improve sanitation and public safety.
Daasebre Boateng also urged the completion of the Eastern Regional Hospital and called for the release of a government white paper to return Koforidua lands to traditional authorities in line with the 1992 Constitution and the 2020 Lands Act.
BY AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA
