By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), July 18, GNA – Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, says the overwhelming support President John Dramani Mahama received in the 2024 General Election in the Volta Region was due to the President’s leadership record, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto and the party’s development achievements in the region.
Speaking at the President’s Citizens’ Engagement in Ho, Mr Gunu said the people of the Volta region voted massively for President Mahama because they preferred “experience over experiment.”
“We were motivated by three key factors – your track record, the hope contained in the NDC manifesto and our conviction that the Volta Region witnesses’ significant development whenever the NDC is in government. That is why the region gave you 90.2 per cent of the presidential vote and all the parliamentary seats,” he said.
Mr Gunu said the Volta Regional Coordinating Council was working closely with traditional authorities and the Regional Peace Council to maintain peace and security, thereby positioning the region as an attractive investment destination.
He said the Council’s priorities included strengthening the capacity of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to promote local economic development, improve service delivery and create jobs.
Another focus, he said, was enhancing collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies to accelerate the implementation of the President’s development agenda.
The Minister noted that major government flagship projects, including the proposed Keta Port, sea defence projects, road infrastructure under the “Big Push” initiative and water supply expansion programmes, were progressing steadily.
Mr Gunu announced that the region’s 18 Municipal and District Assemblies had completed or initiated 618 development projects following the Government’s decision to release 80 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund directly to the assemblies.
He said the projects included 62 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, with 36 completed and 26 under construction.
He added that 180 borehole projects had been awarded across the region, with 89 completed and 91 under construction.
On education, Mr Gunu said more than 971 GETFund-funded projects were ongoing across the region, benefiting all 68 public Senior High and Senior High Technical Schools. The projects include classrooms, dormitories, administration blocks, staff accommodation, dining halls and sanitation facilities.
He also announced that communities such as Anyako, Konu, Seva and neighbouring areas, which had endured water shortages for more than two decades, were now receiving potable water through government interventions.
Mr Gunu said all 18 districts in the region were benefiting from the 24-Hour Economy Market Programme, following a sod-cutting ceremony performed by President Mahama during his regional tour.
On digital skills development, he said about 1,000 girls had been trained in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), while 900 laptops had been distributed under the One Million Coders Programme.
The Minister said several national institutions, including the National Signals Bureau, National Buffer Stock Company, National Pensions Regulatory Authority, Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), had decentralised aspects of their operations to the Volta region, creating employment opportunities.
Mr Gunu highlighted initiatives introduced by the Regional Coordinating Council, including the Water for All Project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the National Security Secretariat, development partners, non-governmental organisations and private individuals.
He also announced the establishment of the Volta Youth Development Fund, which currently has about GH¢500,000 to support young entrepreneurs.
He said he had personally committed 10 per cent of his monthly salary to the fund and appealed to stakeholders to contribute towards its growth.
The Minister also announced plans to establish a 1,500-acre industrial park at Adaklu under the 24-hour economy policy to promote industrialisation and create sustainable jobs for the youth.
According to him, the National Apprenticeship Programme had benefited 1,758 master craftsmen and apprentices in the region, while the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) had supported 332 beneficiaries.
He added that the Youth Employment Initiative had created jobs for 3,379 young people under its various modules.
Mr Gunu expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the opportunity to serve the people of the Volta region and commended traditional leaders, Members of Parliament, government appointees and development partners for their support in advancing the region’s development agenda.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah