President John Dramani Mahama has assured residents of the Volta Region that his government is fulfilling its promise to reward the region’s overwhelming support in the 2024 general election with meaningful development projects.
Speaking at a town hall meeting at Ho Technical University during the second day of his Resetting Ghana Tour, the President described the more than 90 percent of votes he received from the region as a “loan” that his administration is now repaying through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare 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,” he said.
“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.
President Mahama, accompanied by his ministers, said the government’s youthful Cabinet reflects its confidence in the next generation of leaders, noting that the oldest minister is only 53 years old.
He announced progress on the revival of Volta Star Textiles Limited, revealing that a strategic investor has been selected and feasibility studies are being reviewed. According to him, the factory will be equipped with modern machinery, while cotton will initially be sourced from neighbouring countries as efforts continue to revive local production.
On the Volivo Bridge project, the President said Japan has agreed to provide additional funding, with contractor selection underway and construction expected to begin before the end of the year.
He also disclosed that the Keta Port project has secured all necessary environmental approvals and that government is assessing proposals from more than 20 strategic investors interested in partnering on the project.
President Mahama further revealed that the new laboratory complex at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is more than 70 percent complete and is expected to become the largest of its kind in West Africa upon completion.
He added that negotiations have resumed with the South Korean government on a $200 million project to expand the Ho Teaching Hospital with an additional 500 beds after earlier delays caused by Ghana’s debt restructuring.
The President also announced Cabinet’s approval of a $300 million World Bank facility to build new senior high schools and expand existing ones, with the aim of ending the double-track system by 2027.
Addressing concerns about the Ho Airport, President Mahama said government plans to establish a pilot training school, an aeronautical engineering training centre, aircraft maintenance facilities and repair services to transform the airport into a regional aviation hub.
He further announced plans to redevelop the Ho Sports Stadium into a modern multi-purpose facility featuring restaurants, shops and entertainment centres to ensure year-round use.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar