By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s inflexible commitment to balanced national development, assuring the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs that no region will be left behind in Ghana’s transformation agenda.
He further disclosed decisive steps being taken to operationalize the newly constructed University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences at Bunso, signaling a renewed thrust toward technical and agricultural education.
Mahama delivered these assurances during a high-level courtesy call by a delegation led by Nene Sakite II, President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, on April 22.
President Mahama asserted that his government is capitalizing on resurgent investor confidence, spurred by macroeconomic gains since his assumption of office in January last year, to accelerate infrastructure-led economic expansion.
“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,” he stated.
He added: “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.”
Despite the strides, President Mahama acknowledged persistent structural challenges, particularly the imperative of job creation for Ghana’s youth.
“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.”
The President explained that the uncapping of the District Assembly Common Fund empowers MMDAs which now retain 80% of their allocations to invest in catalytic projects such as 24-hour economy markets to ignite grassroots growth nationwide.
He also unveiled the strategic complementarity between the newly launched Free Primary Health Care initiative and the National Health Insurance Scheme, alongside the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, MahamaCares, and the expansion of health facilities to widen access.
On stalled infrastructure, President Mahama was unequivocal: “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 further announced his intention to cut sod for three new hospital projects in newly created regions.
Nene Sakite II commended the President for the administration’s achievements and lauded ongoing development interventions in the region. “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.”
He expressed optimism that the engagement would “open new avenues for partnership and reinforce shared goals.”
The meeting was graced by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and other senior government appointees.