Kejetia phase II, Krofrom markets will be completed — President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has said that the Kejetia Market phase two project and the abandoned Krofrom Market will be completed and commissioned next year to serve their intended purpose.
“Before I came here, I visited both markets and spoke to the contractors, and we are going to accelerate work on them. By the grace of God, next year, we will be able to open them for business,” he said.
The President also mentioned the Afari Military Hospital, the Sewua Regional Hospital, the Maternity and Children's Block at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the rehabilitation of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as some of the projects that would be completed by the government.
“The people of Ashanti and Ghana deserve better; that is why I have directed that no viable project will be abandoned under this administration, regardless of who started it,” he said.
President Mahama gave the assurance at a grand durbar held at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi last Wednesday during his ‘Thank You’ tour of the regional capital.
A large gathering of chiefs, queenmothers, schoolchildren and the general public from across the region converged on the park to welcome the President with cheers flooding the entire grounds, including the premises of the Kumasi Metro office of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Big push
President Mahama said under the $10 billion Big Push infrastructural programme, the government would commence the construction of the Greater Kumasi Bypass project, and said the first quadrant of the bypass will go through Ejisu and link the Mampong and Techiman roads.
When executed, he said all big trucks to the north, including Burkina Faso and Mali, would no longer have to pass through Kumasi city.
“This will help decongest the city to promote safer travel and restore Kumasi's urban integrity. We also have earmarked the reconstruction of roads in the Tepa, Manso and Adansi areas to ease transportation,” the President said.
He said the Kumasi expressway was also on course, and that feasibility studies and design work were ongoing on the project.
“It will have three lanes on each side and will cut the travelling distance from Accra to Kumasi by 50 km.
The new expressway will also enhance logistical movements and strengthen national integration.
It will have rest stops, filling stations and other facilities for a safe travel between Accra and Kumasi,” the President said.
In the aviation sector, he said a contract had been awarded for the extension of the runway of the Prempeh I International Airport to allow larger aircraft to land.
Galamsey
On illegal mining, President Mahama expressed concern over the practice in the region where rivers were being polluted and forests destroyed.
He said that the government was not against mining, but rather abhorred illegal and irresponsible mining that destroyed the environment and livelihoods.
The President said it was in line with this that a presidential task force was constituted to reclaim degraded lands, enforce mining regulations and support responsible community mining initiatives.
He commended the people for their support in the 2024 general election, which resulted in the National Democratic Congress securing seven Members of Parliament and over 33 per cent of the presidential votes in a region that has historically been regarded as the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Appreciation
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, said the government had performed creditably since assuming office in the past six months.
He said the damaged Kotokuom bridge and the airport roundabout road, which were in a poor state, had all been fixed.
The Asafohene, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, urged President Mahama to deliver on his promises to the people who gave him overwhelming endorsement in the last elections.
"We are optimistic that the Ashanti Region will get its share of the national cake," he said.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
