President John Dramani Mahama says the stalled Eastern Regional Hospital project will be completed, indicating that the contractor has been asked to return to site and will be paid to ensure work resumes and is brought to completion.
President John Dramani Mahama has assured the Eastern regional House of Chiefs of his commitment to spread development evenly across the country.
He has also informed them of ongoing efforts to operationalize the newly constructed University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS) at Bunso.
President Mahama who was speaking during a courtesy call on him told the delegation led by Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, that his government is leveraging on the renewed investor confidence following the gains made since his assumed office in January last year to open up the economy through infrastructure development.
“We are meeting all our debt obligations. Inflation is down. The currency has appreciated in value and we have a relatively stable macroeconomic environment. The economy is more resilient and is withstanding external shocks arising from the Middle East conflict. We are reaching important milestones and we remain focused.”
The President added that, “After a successful completion of the IMF bailout, we intend to, maintain the strict fiscal discipline that has resulted in the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment”
He, however, said despite the gains, his government admits there are still challenges and most especially on how to create job opportunities for young people.
“Government alone cannot absorb the numbers, so we need to invest in the private sector to industrialize, other potential areas like agriculture to absorb the unemployed.”
President explained that through the uncapping of the District Assembly Common Fund, the MMDA’s which as a policy is maintaining 80% of their allocations can invest in projects such as the 24-hour economy markets to stimulate growth across the country.
He used the occasion to appraise them of the benefits of the recently launched Free Primary Health Care designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) and the expansion of health facilities to improve access.
He assured that his government won’t abandon the Eastern Regional Hospital project.
“The Eastern Regional Hospital stalled a bit and I have asked that the contractor go back to the site. We will pay him so that we can complete the project.” – he noted, adding that he will cut sod for the commencement of three new hospital projects for the new regions.
Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs congratulated the President for the success story so far and expressed gratitude for the ongoing development projects the region.
Nene Sakite II expressed optimism that the fruitful engagement with the President will open new avenues for partnership and reinforce shared goals.
“I would like to indicate that we are taking note of the work being done around us in the Region. And for that, we are greatly appreciative. We are hoping that work will continue till the end.”
Present at the meeting was Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and other senior government appointees.
