Speaking on the NDC’s road infrastructural plans during the fourth edition of Adom TV’s Badwam Sectorial Debate held at the Accra Digital Center on Friday, Mr Adjei Mensah highlighted the NDC’s infrastructure priorities, which include the completion and improvement of major road corridors such as the Eastern, Western, and Upper Corridors.

He criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for halting several road projects and neglecting road upkeep.

Given this, the NDC intends to remove the capping on the Road Fund and pay the fuel levy to boost road maintenance funding.

“The following major road corridors and Trunk roads, Feeder roads and Urban roads will be improved, completed, or developed, Eastern Corridor: Tema-Asikuma-Hohoe-Damanko-Bimbilla-Yendi-Nakpanduri Kulungugu; 2. Western Corridor: Elubo- Enchi-Sunyani- Wa- Hamile;  Upper Corridor: Pulmakom-Bawku- Bolga- Tumu – WA; Tamale -Yendi; Tamale Daboya – Busunu Sawla Chache; Sakoo- Nakpanduru -Bunkpurugu; Yendi, Saboba, Waapuli, Cheriponi; Nkwanta-Kpaasaa; facilitate the construction of trauma centres, clinics, rest stops and other social amenities. Along the corridors of a) Accra-Kumasi, (b) Accra-Takoradi-Elubo, (c) Accra-Aflao, (d) Kumasi-Techiman-Bolgatanga, (e) Tema-Afienya-Ho, (f) Kumasi-Anwiankwanta”.

Mr Mensah also outlined the plans to re-design outer and inner ring roads in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Sunyani to ease traffic congestion.

The NDC further aims to reduce transport costs and eliminate speed ramps on trunk roads.

Additionally, Mr Mensah revealed that the party promises to construct key bridges on vital road links and develop trauma centres, clinics, and rest stops along key road corridors.

Play the attached audio below:

Source: Faridatu Seidu

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He argues that, it limits the scheme’s effectiveness in providing comprehensive healthcare coverage.

“One bad thing I feel the NPP government has done to Ghanaians is the capping of the NHIS,” he said.

Speaking during the second edition of Adom TV’s Badwam Sectorial Debate held at the Accra Digital Center on Friday, Prof Beyuo responded to claims by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the NHIS was established by its government under President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2003.

According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) originally initiated and piloted the concept of health insurance in Ghana under former President Jerry John Rawlings.

However, the erstwhile Kufuor government passed the NHIS Act 650, which he claimed was misleadingly titled as it included provisions for District Mutual Health schemes, Private Mutual Health Insurance schemes, and commercial schemes, but not a national scheme.

He reiterated that, it was the NDC who transformed the system into a true national scheme.

“The NDC initiated health insurance with a National Health Insurance concept but faced strong opposition from the NPP, with Dr. Addo-Kufuor being particularly vocal. The concept of NHIS was first introduced under former president Jerry John Rawlings, who planned and piloted it.

“However, when the NPP came to power, they passed the NHIS Act, Act 650. This act established district mutual health schemes, private mutual health insurance schemes, and commercial ones, but there was no provision for a national scheme, despite the act being called a national insurance act. The NDC later repealed that act and established a truly national scheme,” Prof Beyuo explained.

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Speaking during the second edition of Adom TV’s Badwam Sectorial Debate on Friday, July 26 at the Accra Digital Center highlighted a troubling trend, alleging that admissions to nursing training colleges have been restricted to 50% or less, with an additional 30% of available slots reserved for the Ministry of Health.

“The reduction in nursing admissions is alarming. Moreover, the Ministry of Health’s reservation of 30% of these slots for its own use creates unnecessary bureaucracy and delays,” he said.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Lambussie Constituency also predicted that the government would try to manipulate the situation.

He said the government would attempt to influence voters by issuing recruitment clearances to be implemented in 2025 as the December elections approach.

Prof. Beyuo believes this move is a deliberate strategy to push the burden onto the next administration.

“I can predict that the government will engage in another nursing recruitment scam before the upcoming elections. As of today, nurses who graduated in 2020, 2021, and 2022 have not been recruited.

“However, I believe the government will issue a letter of financial clearance for recruitment to begin in 2025, as they anticipate that Mahama will win the elections and they want him to deal with the repercussions of this issue,” Prof Beyuo said.

Play attached audio below:

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