By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Nov. 06, GNA – Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, says President John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated commitment to the development of the Volta Region through the implementation of various infrastructure projects across the region.
He said nearly 700 infrastructure projects were being undertaken by the 18 Municipal and District Assemblies, largely through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), to address critical development needs in communities.
Mr Gunu made the remarks during the commissioning of seven development projects, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, nurses’ residential facilities and classroom blocks in the Ho Municipality.
He said the increased allocation of the Common Fund to the Assemblies had enabled them to respond directly to the infrastructure needs of their communities.
Mr Gunu outlined three key measures being adopted to ensure effective project delivery: making funds available before contracts were awarded, assessing the capacity of contractors before assigning projects to them, and strengthening monitoring and supervision during implementation.
He said those measures had contributed to the timely execution of projects, allowing several facilities to be completed and commissioned across the region.
The Regional Minister also disclosed that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) was supporting more than 371 infrastructure projects in the region, some of which had been completed and would soon be commissioned.
He said road infrastructure was also receiving attention under the government’s Big Push programme, while electricity was being extended to communities that previously had no access to power.
On agriculture, Mr Gunu said the region was benefiting from the establishment of Farmers Service Centres, with facilities being developed in Keta and Adaklu to support agricultural production and agribusiness.
He added that farmers were also receiving fertilisers, other farm inputs and equipment to improve productivity.
He said the various interventions demonstrated government’s commitment to addressing development needs across the region.
Mr Edem Kofi Kpotosu, Member of Parliament for Ho Central, commended the government for releasing funds under the District Assemblies Common Fund to support the projects.
He urged beneficiary institutions and communities to take proper care of the facilities to ensure their durability and continued service to the public.
Mr Stephen Adom, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, said the projects were selected in response to concerns raised by residents during community engagements ahead of the Assembly’s development interventions.
He said the Assembly had prioritised the provision of health facilities, accommodation for health personnel, classroom blocks and access to water to address the needs of underserved communities.
He said the seven projects commissioned formed part of a broader programme to improve access to education and healthcare in the municipality.
The projects included a CHPS compound at Takla Atiyinu, near the Ho Airport, and another at Bamefedo; a three-unit classroom block with offices and other facilities at Hordzo; residential accommodation for nurses at Tokokoe and Matse; a six-unit classroom block with a staff common room, headteacher’s office and washrooms at Nyive; and a 12-unit classroom block at Shia Senior High Technical School.
Madam Perfect Titiati, Ho Municipal Director of Health Services, said the newly completed health facilities and staff accommodation would help address challenges affecting the deployment and retention of health personnel.
She said the lack of decent accommodation in some communities often discouraged health workers from accepting postings or compelled them to reside in nearby towns, thereby limiting their ability to provide round-the-clock services.
She said the two staff residential facilities at Tokokoe and Matse would help ensure that critical health personnel remained closer to the communities they served.
Madam Titiati said the facilities would also support the implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare policy, which required improved access to essential health services at the community level.
She, however, noted that the two CHPS compounds at Takla Atiyinu and Bamefedo required medical equipment, supplies and other logistical support before they could become fully operational.
She added that some minor challenges, including water supply, also needed to be addressed before the staff accommodation could be fully utilised.
Rev Gabriel Baniba, Planning Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Ho Municipality, expressed appreciation to the government and the Assembly for providing the new classroom blocks.
He urged teachers and students to maintain the facilities and use them responsibly to support effective teaching and learning.
He also appealed to parents to enrol their children in schools and support efforts to improve access to quality education.
The chiefs and residents of the beneficiary communities expressed appreciation to the government and the Ho Municipal Assembly for responding to their development needs through the provision of the facilities.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade