President Akufo-Addo inspects projects in Bono Region

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last Tuesday rounded off his two-day visit to the Bono Region with the inspection of rehabilitation works on the 10-kilometre Sampa town roads.

The rehabilitation works — being executed by J. Adom Construction Company Limited at a cost of GH¢1.8 million — started in July this year and are expected to be completed in 24 months.

They include the construction of drains and culverts and surface tarring.

The 31-kilometre Sampa-Gyene road is also being rehabilitated.

At two separate durbars in Sampa and Banda, President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to the region for rallying behind his government.

Smuggling

In response to the complaint of low price offered to cashew farmers because of the smuggling of cashew from Cote d’Ivoire, the President said the government would equip the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to adequately patrol the country's borders to check such activities.

He, however, appealed to the people to be vigilant and provide the necessary information to GIS officials to stop the smuggling of raw cashew nuts into the country.

He said the government would also ensure the passage of the Tree Crop Authority Bill to regulate the cashew industry, in addition to other tree crops.

The acting President of the Sampa Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Magsah, called for the construction of a hostel for the Sampa Nursing Training College to enhance teaching and learning.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, said the government was determined to ensure the completion of all ongoing road projects in the area.

He said the Drobo-Sampa road project would be completed within four months.

He said the government had earmarked GH¢2.2 billion for the construction of a number of roads across the country.

In Banda, Mr Amoako-Atta said Banda town roads had also been earmarked for rehabilitation next year, while the 15-kilometre Banda-Sabiye road had been awarded on contract.

Other projects

The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, said efforts were being made to upgrade the Banda Clinic to a district hospital.

The Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Ms Hawa Koomson, said a number of projects were being undertaken in the Banda District under the $1 million per constituency policy.

Those projects, she said, included school blocks and water systems, and gave an assurance that other projects would be undertaken to enable all constituencies to get their fair share of the national cake.