Savannah Regional tour: President Mahama cuts sod for projects - Inspects Regional Hospital, opens ICT centre

President John Dramani Mahama has concluded a two-day working visit to the Savannah Region as part of the Resetting Ghana Tour, during which he cut the sod for several major projects and engaged directly with chiefs and residents.

The tour, which took place last Friday and Saturday, saw the President inspect ongoing infrastructural projects, commission an information and communication technology (ICT) centre, and cut the sod for educational and market facilities to be constructed with the aim of boosting the region's development outlook.

The President was accompanied by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu; Minister in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Ofosu-Kwakye; Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor; Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim; Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe.

The President began the tour at the Sawla E/A Primary School, where he witnessed a demonstration of the National BSTEM (Business, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programme for learners in primary and junior high schools.

The initiative is designed to equip young learners with practical skills in emerging fields.

He later proceeded to inspect the Sawla-Wa road, a critical arterial route in the region, spending 25 minutes assessing the progress of work.

Later in the afternoon, President Mahama cut the sod for the construction of the Bole College of Education at Doli, a ceremony that drew cheers from traditional rulers and residents.

“This college will train the next generation of teachers who will shape minds in the Savannah Region and beyond,” the President declared.

He followed up with a sod-cutting for a 24-hour economy market in Bole, describing it as a key intervention to support local traders and stimulate round-the-clock commerce.

“The 24-hour Economy policy is not a slogan; it is a practical tool to create jobs and expand economic opportunities for our people,” he said.

The President also inspected the Bole-Tinga Road, rounding up the day’s activities by cutting the sod for the construction of the Tinga STEM School, a ceremony that underscored his administration’s commitment to science and technology education.

Day two

Last Saturday, President Mahama started the day at Damongo, where he inaugurated the Yamoransa Model ICT Centre, sponsored by a non-governmental organisation and promoted by President Mahama during his time in opposition.

It is a modern facility aimed at bridging the digital divide in the region.

The centre is expected to offer free internet access and digital skills training for the youth.

Later, President Mahama paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Gonja Traditional Area, Yagbonwura, Jira Bikunuto Jewu Soale I, at his palace.

The President sought the king’s blessings and discussed collaborative efforts for regional development.

Community engagement

The highlight of the day was the #ResettingGhana Citizens’ Engagement, held at the Ndewura Jakpa Senior High School Assembly and Dining Hall.

President Mahama addressed a packed audience, listened to their concerns ranging from unemployment to health care and answered questions.

“Your voices are the compass of this administration.

We are resetting Ghana together,” he told the crowd.

President Mahama said the government had achieved macroeconomic stability despite recent external economic pressures affecting global markets.

He said inflation had declined and remained under control, reflecting prudent economic management and growing resilience within the economy.

“Our economy is doing much better than it has ever done in the last several decades. We have achieved macroeconomic stability, and so inflation is down,” President Mahama said.

He stated that 172 communities in the Savannah Region would soon be connected to electricity under phase one of the government’s rural electrification programme.

“With regard to energy and electrification, so far under phase one, we’ve identified 172 communities.

The contract has been signed.

The contractors are moving to the site, and so 172 communities that didn’t have lights before will have light,” he said. 

The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu in the Savannah Region, announced that the government had secured investment commitments of $3.5 billion from international oil partners to revive and expand Ghana’s petroleum sector.

He said the Italian oil giant, Eni, was expected to invest $1.5 billion in the country’s oil industry, while the Jubilee Partners would inject an additional $2 billion into the sector.

Inspections

Later in the afternoon, President Mahama conducted a site inspection of the Savannah Regional Hospital, spending time to assess the level of completion of the much-anticipated health facility.

The President later cut the sod for the Busunu STEM Girls’ Senior High School, a ceremony that was met with enthusiastic applause from community members, especially parents of young girls.

Appreciation

The Savannah Regional Minister, speaking on behalf of the chiefs and people, thanked President Mahama for the unprecedented focus on the region.