By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), July 17, GNA – Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has appealed to road contractors in the region to voluntarily support the construction of the proposed Cardio Centre for the Volta Region, describing it as a worthy national cause that would save lives.
Speaking during the President’s Citizen Engagement in Ho on Friday, Mr Agbodza said he hoped contractors benefiting from government road projects would contribute towards the facility as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“I wish that my contractors would step forward and say, ‘We will contribute and build this cardio centre for the people of the Volta Region on our own.’ That would be a worthy legacy,” he said.Â
The appeal followed President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement that government would establish a modern cardiothoracic centre in Ho as part of efforts to improve specialist healthcare services in the country.
Mr Agbodza pledged three months of his salary to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Care, and urged Members of Parliament, contractors and other corporate organisations to make voluntary contributions to support the initiative.
He said while he had no authority to compel contractors to donate, he would encourage them to support the fund because of its potential to improve healthcare delivery.
“The largest share of government’s capital expenditure goes into road construction. Our contractors already undertake corporate social responsibility projects such as schools, clinics, and boreholes. I believe they can also contribute to this important health intervention,” he said.
The Roads Minister disclosed that all major road projects in the Volta Region, particularly the Eastern Corridor Road, were progressing steadily and remained on schedule for completion.
He said President Mahama had fulfilled his campaign promise by prioritising the Eastern Corridor Road and the Ho-Aflao Highway, projects he described as critical to the socio-economic development of the region.
According to him, work was progressing on almost all ongoing projects in the region, with only the Oti section facing minor challenges that government was addressing with the contractor.
Mr Agbodza noted that the “Big Push” infrastructure programme was already stimulating economic activity by improving transportation for farmers, traders and businesses along the Eastern Corridor.
He said the improved road network would enhance access to healthcare, promote tourism and strengthen trade between Ghana and neighbouring Togo.
The Minister also announced that government would continue upgrading urban and feeder roads across the Volta Region, including internal roads at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).
He disclosed that following President Mahama’s directive during his visit to UHAS, arrangements had been completed for a contractor to begin work on the university’s internal roads before the end of the following month.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Health, commended the Roads Minister for championing support for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and encouraged traditional authorities, corporate organisations and individuals to contribute towards the initiative.
He said the Trust Fund would complement the National Health Insurance Scheme by financing the diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney failure.
Mr Akandoh also outlined measures being implemented to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system, including the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme, which facilitates the orderly migration of health professionals to countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Jamaica under bilateral agreements.
He said the government had also prioritised the completion of 35 Agenda 111 hospital projects, including two in the Volta Region, despite inheriting the programme without dedicated funding.
The Health Minister further announced that construction of three new regional hospitals would commence this year, while another three would be captured in the 2027 budget, in fulfilment of President Mahama’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure nationwide.
Mr Akandoh described President Mahama as a strong advocate for the health sector, saying his unwavering commitment continued to drive reforms aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo