President John Dramani Mahama has assured the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs of his government’s commitment to ensuring equitable development across all parts of the country.
He also disclosed ongoing efforts to operationalise the newly completed University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS) at Bunso.
The President made the remarks on April 22 when a delegation led by Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, paid a courtesy call on him.
President Mahama said his administration is leveraging renewed investor confidence and recent macroeconomic gains to drive infrastructure expansion and economic growth.
“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,” he said.
He added that following the successful completion of the IMF-supported programme, government intends to maintain strict fiscal discipline to sustain economic stability.
“We intend to maintain the strict fiscal discipline that has resulted in the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment,” he stated.
Despite the gains, the President acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in addressing youth unemployment.
He noted that government alone cannot absorb the growing number of job seekers and stressed the need for private sector-led industrialisation and agricultural expansion to create employment opportunities.
President Mahama also highlighted the role of the District Assembly Common Fund, noting that the uncaping policy allows Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to retain 80 percent of their allocations to invest in local development projects, including 24-hour economy markets.
He further outlined ongoing social interventions, including the Free Primary Health Care initiative designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), and the expansion of health infrastructure to improve access to healthcare.
On health infrastructure, he assured that the Eastern Regional Hospital project will be completed, noting that contractors have been asked to return to site.
“The Eastern Regional Hospital stalled a bit and I have asked that the contractor goes back to the site. We will pay him so that we can complete the project,” he said.
He also indicated plans to cut the sod for the construction of additional hospital projects in newly created regions.
Nene Sakite II commended the government for ongoing development projects in the region, expressing optimism that continued engagement would strengthen collaboration between traditional authorities and the state.
“We are taking note of the work being done in the region and we are greatly appreciative. We hope the work will continue to completion,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and other senior government officials.
Source:
oyerepafmonline.com
