Mahama calls for socio- economic partnership

President John Dramani Mahama at the weekend advocated the building of synergies and partnerships between government and development partners to achieve the socio-economic development of Ghana.

President Mahama made the recommendation, when he inaugurated the Okpoti School Complex buildings at Dansoman in Ablekuma West Constituency of Greater Accra Region.

The facility which was a collaboration between Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), government, the United States and China, has a primary, junior high school, senior high school and a vocational and technical institute.

The school would provide the students with more access to education and eliminate the shift system in some parts of the region.

The school has a library, laboratory, bus, water treatment plant, power plant among other facilities.

President Mahama said the US and Chinese governments have been instrumental in the provision of infrastructure in Ghana, and the partnership in the construction of the Dansoman edifice was a justification of their commitment to support the country.

He appealed to other metropolis, municipal and district assemblies to take a leaf from the activities of the AMA in forging partnership with other organisations to provide educational infrastructure for their localities.

The president advised teachers and students of the school to step up their performance to justify the huge investment that has been made in providing the facility in the area.

Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the AMA had cut the sod for the construction of 104 millennium schools in Accra, while 10 had been completed.

He commended the US and Chinese governments for their tremendous contribution towards the schools.

He promised to adhere to the tenets of the "better Ghana agenda" that would provide a number of development projects to the region and beyond.

Madam Sun Baohong, Chinese Ambassador, said education had always been one of the priority areas for the cooperation between China and Ghana.

"China is currently advancing the construction of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, “she said.

She said China would soon implement the preferential loan project of upgrading polytechnic training among other support to Ghana in the educational sector.

Ms Ursula Owusu, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West said there is the need for collaboration among Ghanaians in spite of their political persuasions to provide the basic needs and amenities for the people.

She appealed for a polyclinic to cater for the needs of the people as their numbers is growing on daily basis.

Madam Marisol Perez, USAID Director of Education promised to effect more collaboration with the government to achieve the development agenda.