By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), July 18, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has successfully concluded his two-day tour of the Volta Region as part of his nationwide “Resetting Ghana Agenda” outreach programme.
The tour reaffirms his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, economic transformation, healthcare, education, security and citizen engagement.
The President, who toured the region from Thursday to Friday, was accompanied by the Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), national and regional party executives, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament and senior government officials.
President Mahama began the first day of his tour at Juapong, where he performed the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of 18 24-Hour Economy Model Markets, one in each Municipal and District Assembly (MDA) in the Volta Region.
The markets form part of government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy programme aimed at stimulating local commerce, creating employment opportunities and boosting economic growth.
He later visited the Peki College of Education (GOVCO) to inspect the newly completed 1,500-seat multipurpose assembly hall before proceeding to inspect progress on the ongoing Asikuma-Ho Road under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.
The President expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and expressed optimism that the project would be completed ahead of schedule.
The President also inspected the Multi-Purpose Laboratory Complex at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho.
The facility, regarded as the largest of its kind in West Africa, is expected to significantly strengthen medical education, scientific research, disease surveillance and healthcare delivery in Ghana and the sub-region.
As part of the day’s activities, President Mahama held a public engagement on the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme, where he outlined measures being implemented to expand access to quality healthcare and improve health outcomes across the country.
The President also inspected the Ho Sports Stadium on the second day of the tour and announced plans to redevelop the ageing facility into a modern multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex capable of hosting international competitions while supporting year-round commercial and recreational activities.
President Mahama held a Citizens’ Engagement and Town Hall Meeting at the Ho Technical University, where he interacted with traditional authorities, students, youth groups, civil society organisations and residents of the region.
The forum provided Ministers responsible for Health, Roads and Highways, Transport, Tourism, Sports and Recreation, and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs the opportunity to account for projects and policy interventions being implemented in the Volta Region.
Residents also took advantage of the interactive session to ask questions, seek clarification and make suggestions on issues affecting the region’s development.
The President later travelled to Ave-Dakpa, where he commissioned the newly completed Akatsi North District Police Headquarters, describing the facility as an important investment in improving security, policing and public safety in the district.
Throughout the tour, President Mahama received enthusiastic welcomes from traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, heads of decentralised departments, NDC executives, labour unions, youth organisations, students and residents in the various communities he visited.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs and people of the Volta Region, Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, expressed appreciation to President Mahama for choosing the region as part of his nationwide accountability tour and for the numerous development projects being implemented under his administration.
He commended the President’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises and assured him that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC), in collaboration with the Municipal and District Assemblies, would ensure the effective implementation, monitoring and sustainability of all government projects, programmes and policies to improve the living conditions of the people of the region.
The two-day tour saw President Mahama inspect ongoing projects; commission completed infrastructure, engage directly with citizens and reaffirm government’s commitment to delivering inclusive and sustainable development across the Volta Region under the Resetting Ghana Agenda.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah