Politics
Finance Minister reveals roads in various states of development in mid-year budget review
Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister, reported substantial progress in improving mobility, accessibility, and safety along important trunk highways through numerous infrastructure projects.
The minister mentioned some of the projects at various phases of completion during the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, which was presented in Parliament on July 31.
Examine them:
- The 31.2km Assin Fosu-Assin Praso portion of the National Trunk Road N8 (Phase 2) was completed and commissioned in June 2023.
- The Accra-Tema Beach Road (Lot 1 and Lot 2) is 79 per cent and 89 per cent complete, respectively.
- Construction of a 3-tier interchange at Nungua Barrier is ongoing.
- Development works on the Kumasi Lake Road and Drainage Extension project are 98 per cent complete.
- Selected Roads in Sekondi and Takoradi Phase 1 are 21 per cent complete.
- The Tema-Aflao road is 30 per cent complete.
- The Nsawam-Ofankor road is 26 per cent complete.
- The reconstruction of the Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road is 64 per cent complete.
- Reconstruction of Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa road is 34 per cent complete.
- Phase 2 of the Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Interchange and other ancillary works are 86 per cent complete as of June 2023.
- Construction of a 4-tier interchange at Suame in the Ashanti Region has commenced.
- Construction of 50 prefabricated bridges in all sixteen regions is 86 per cent complete as of the end of June.
- Design, fabrication, and delivery of 87 No. steel panel bridges are ongoing, with 45 bridges delivered.
- A new bridge under construction at Twifo Praso to separate vehicular traffic from the railway line is 93 per cent complete.
He also stated that the government intends to launch a community road construction programme in order to boost production and expedite the transportation of food crops.
“District Assemblies will be provided with complementary equipment to ensure that local roads are motorable throughout the year. Despite these infrastructure developments, the government remains committed to improving road infrastructure in line with the fiscal consolidation plan in the IMF-backed PCPEG and in partnership with the private sector” he said.
There are two projects in various phases of preparation for public-private partnerships (PPPs) for road infrastructure finance, construction, and management:
- Phase 1 of the Accra-Tema Motorway Extension Project (31.7km) involves the reconstruction of the Motorway. The Concession Agreement and draft Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement have been finalized and will be presented to Parliament.
- The Development of Tema Arterial Roads will be structured on a PPP basis using the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) model. The appraisal of the project is ongoing.
He stated that these projects aim to strengthen Ghana’s transport networks, communications, and general infrastructure.
Politics
Ya Naa tells Bawumia to treat Mahama like his elder brother
The Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional Area, Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II, has asked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to run a clean and respectful campaign ahead of the 2024 general elections.
During a courtesy call with Dr Bawumia, Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II emphasised the necessity of sustaining national unity and peace, whatever of party allegiance.
He reminded Dr Bawumia that his opponent, former President John Dramani Mahama, is also a Dagboni son with similar goals for the country’s growth.
“It’s a critical opportunity for us to demonstrate our maturity, competence, honesty, and commitment to Ghana’s progress,” Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II said, adding, “You are my son, Dr. Bawumia, and your competitor, John Mahama, is also my son.” You’re both completely devoted to this election.”
The Overlord further emphasised that Dr Bawumia and Mr Mahama should see each other as siblings rather than adversaries.
“He is not your enemy or rival, but your elder brother,” Ya Naa Abubakari Mahama II said. “We have already won the elections as Northerners.” Whoever wins this trophy will return home.”
Politics
The economy is a disaster because Bawumia is ignorant – Sam George
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is clueless about handling the economy, according to Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George.
Unlike Dr. Bawumia, Sam Goege stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Former President John Dramani Mahama, is focused on how the economy would be managed.
“We have been inundated with questions of policy and policy initiatives. John Dramani Mahama has been outlining flagship policy initiatives over the past weeks in public engagements.
“The other one, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has only one message – John Mahama! He is so pathetic and clueless in his engagements so far it explains to us all the reasons our economy under his leadership is in shambles. Bawumia is empty and spent.
“John Mahama has a clear vision and plan to #BuildTheGhanaWeWant. PS: I am open to a factual debate on the policies outlined so far. I’m uninterested in party bots seeking to earn their daily stipend,” he tweeted while reacting to the comment by Vice President Dr Bawumia to the effect that former President Mahama does not understand what it means to have a 24-hour economy.
According to Dr. Bawumia, hospitals, the Electricity Company of Ghana, the Ghana Water Company, petrol stations, and numerous chop bars are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He urged Ghanaians to oppose Mr Mahama’s proposal.
Addressing a throng in Nalerigu on Monday, November 20 as part of his ‘Thank you’ trip after being chosen NPP flagbearer on November 4, Dr Bawumia remarked, “John Mahama says he has a new idea.” What is the concept? He claims to desire a 24-hour economy. He’s not even aware of the policy.
Today, our hospitals operate 24 hours a day, our power company operates 24 hours a day, our water company operates 24 hours a day, our gasoline stations operate 24 hours a day, and many chop bars operate 24 hours a day. Because of digitization, you may now transmit and receive money 24 hours a day, seven days a week… As a result, he doesn’t grasp his own policies. It makes no sense.
“So I want you to vote for me in 2024 because I will bring a new vision, I will bring a new policy. Mahama is the past, and Dr Bawumia is the future. If John Mahama was there, we would say we have a dumsor economy, you can’t have a 24-hour economy in dumsor. So, you want to vote for Dr Bawumia in 2024, we will take the country to new heights,” Dr Bawumia stated.
Mr Mahama stated that the 24-hour economy will provide work for all Ghanaians.
“The 24-hour economy I proposed is for jobs and more jobs,” the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stressed.
He suggested the ’24hr Economy’ concept when he met with leaders from the country’s mother workers union on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, as part of his outreach to key stakeholders in his attempt to reclaim power.
Politics
Mahama urges government to pay allowances owed nursing trainees
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, wants the government to settle all arrears due to nursing trainees across the country as soon as possible.
According to John Mahama, such delays generate unneeded hardship for pupils.
Mr Mahama says the government must honour its pledge to pay nursing trainee allowances to students at the Krobo Nursing Training School in the Bono Region as part of his trip.
“Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia have stated that they will pay the allowances.” I ask you, Nana Addo and Bawumia, if you can hear me, we here at Krobo Nursing Training School, claim you haven’t paid their allowances for two years now.”
“Let the allowance come. Wherever you are, Krobo Nursing Trainees are begging you to let their allowance come,” John Mahama appealed.