President John Dramani Mahama has assured the people of the Volta Region that their overwhelming support during the 2024 elections is being matched with tangible development, as he wrapped up the second day of his Resetting Ghana Tour with a town hall meeting at Ho Technical University.
Addressing a packed auditorium of chiefs, opinion leaders, students and members of the public, the President described the 90 per cent votes received from the region as a “loan” which his administration was now repaying through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, health and industry.
“When I came to the people of the Volta Region seeking what I described as a loan in the form of votes, you did not hesitate to credit my account with more than 90 per cent of your votes,” President Mahama said to applause.
“Today, I have not come to request another loan. I have come to show you the deposit this government has made in your development bank,” he added.
The President was accompanied by his ministers who delivered detailed sectoral presentations, accounting for their stewardship over the past 18 months.
President Mahama commended their performances, noting that many had served as deputy ministers or distinguished themselves in Parliament before being appointed to higher responsibilities.
Youthful Cabinet
President Mahama expressed pride in what he described as arguably the youngest Cabinet Ghana has had since independence.
“The oldest minister is only 53 years old, which demonstrates our confidence in youthful leadership,” he said.
“I entered Parliament and became a Deputy Minister at 37, and by 40, I was Minister for Communications. The current generation deserves the same opportunity to lead,” the President said.
He provided updates on the revival of Volta Star Textiles Limited, revealing that significant progress had been made since the sod-cutting ceremony at Juapong the previous day.
President Mahama disclosed that a strategic investor had been selected and the investment proposal and feasibility studies were currently under review.
“Since successive governments attempted to revive the factory without success, we have adopted a different approach this time,” he explained.
“The factory will be retooled with modern and more efficient machinery. We will source cotton from neighbouring countries such as Benin and Burkina Faso while efforts continue to revive domestic production,” he added.
Volivo Bridge
On the long-awaited Volivo Bridge project, President Mahama announced that Japan had agreed to provide additional financing following his recent visit to that country.
“The preliminary work has been completed, and the process of selecting a new contractor is underway. We expect construction to commence before the end of the year,” he stated.
Regarding the Keta Port project, he revealed that feasibility studies and engineering designs had been completed, with all environmental approvals secured.
“We are currently evaluating proposals from more than 20 strategic investors interested in partnering with government,” he said.
The President inspected the new laboratory complex at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, noting that the project initiated during his previous administration had now progressed beyond 70 per cent completion.
“Once completed, UHAS will possess the largest laboratory complex in West Africa,” he said.
Other projects
On the Ho Teaching Hospital, he announced that discussions had resumed with the government of South Korea on a $200 million facility that would expand the hospital by 500 beds.
“Although the project was affected by Ghana’s debt restructuring programme, negotiations have now resumed,” he assured.
President Mahama announced that Cabinet had approved a $300 million World Bank facility to eliminate the double-track system by constructing new secondary schools and expanding existing ones.
“Our objective is to ensure that by 2027, no Ghanaian child will have to attend school under the double-track system,” he declared.
About the Ho Airport, the President acknowledged that commercial passenger traffic had been slower than anticipated because of the short distance to Accra, but outlined plans to make it commercially viable.
“We are establishing a pilot training school, an aeronautical engineering training centre, aircraft maintenance facilities and repair services.
These will transform the airport into an aviation hub,” he said.
The President announced that government had decided to redesign the Ho Sports Stadium into a modern multi-purpose facility.
“The new facility will include restaurants, shops and entertainment centres so that it remains active throughout the week and not only during football matches,” he explained.
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