Bono East Region will get fair share of devt — President
President John Dramani Mahama has assured the chiefs and people of the Bono East Region that they will get their fair share of national infrastructure development.
President Mahama described Bono East as “one of the most important regions in our national economy and truly, the breadbasket of Ghana”.
The President said the region played a major role in agricultural production and food supplies nationwide, adding that Techiman continued to serve as a major commercial hub, with its market attracting traders from other parts of the country, and from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
“A region with such enormous economic importance cannot be left behind when the national cake is being shared,” he said, adding that several major projects had been earmarked for the region.
The President gave the assurance when the President of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Owusu Sakyi III, led a delegation of traditional rulers to call on him at the Presidency in Accra last Thursday.
24-hour markets
President Mahama said Techiman was one of the beneficiaries of the government’s 24-hour Economy initiative.
In line with that, the area would also receive an additional ultra-modern market.
He said six such major markets were being constructed across the country at Mankessim, Sunyani, and other strategic commercial centres.
The President added that a cashew processing factory would also be constructed in the region.
A section of Paramount Chiefs, queenmothers and traditional leaders from across the region
The factory, when completed, would have the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes of cashew annually.
Farmer Service Centres were also being constructed to support agricultural productivity and agribusiness development.
Other projects
On roads, President Mahama mentioned Techiman–Wenchi, Techiman–Sunyani, Jema town roads, Jema–Ampoma–Anyima, Amoma–Agyina, Bodom–Busunya, Bonomanso–Kranka, and Tanoboase roads as some of the projects that were receiving attention.
Work is also progressing on the Techiman outer ring road to ease congestion and improve transportation within the municipality.
He said under the ‘Big Push’ phase two next year, the Atebubu–Kwame Danso–Kadjebi roads would also be worked on.
The President added that a Regional Hospital would be constructed in the region next year.
On education, President Mahama said the government intended to upgrade 30 Category ‘B’ senior high schools to Category ‘A’ status, while 30 Category ‘C’ schools would also be upgraded to Category ‘B’.
Economy on track
“Through discipline, prudent management and sacrifice, we have worked hard to bring the economy back on track,” the President said.
He said, despite challenges such as the ongoing Israel-Ukraine war and global economic pressures, inflation had been reduced significantly to 3.4 per cent.
President Mahama said the cedi had also stabilised considerably, and that interest rates, which were previously around 32 per cent, had dropped to about 12 to 13 per cent, bringing relief to businesses, workers and ordinary citizens.
He further said that upon resumption of office, only about 40 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund was reaching the assemblies, but that had now been increased to at least 80 per cent, thus enabling the assemblies to undertake more development projects.
On security, he said incidents of crime on highways and within communities had reduced significantly, while the government has provided the Police Service with bulletproof vehicles and other logistics.
