Public consultation on the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact II held in Koforidua

A day’s public consultation forum with stakeholders of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact II Development, has been held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

The forum, which drew participants from the Central, Volta, Greater Accra and the Eastern regions, was attended by traditional rulers, media personnel, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Regional Coordinating Directors and personnel from other private and government agencies.

The forum was also to solicit views from participants on key issues for consideration under the Compact II.

Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said about five months ago, the Former Regional Minister Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi inaugurated projects executed with funds from the MCC.

“Significant among the projects was the official inauguration of the RoRo ferry, MV Millennium Challenge at Akosombo to replace the aged Panton, which transports passengers and goods across the Afram River at Adawso”.

Mr. Terlabi said the inauguration of the ferry was expected to enhance accessibility to the land and people in the Afram Plains.

He indicated that the Afram Basin Zone had the greatest potential to become the “bread basket” of the nation as the place is endowed with large stretches of arable land, water bodies and good cloud cover for agricultural activities.

Mr. Terlabi said in addition to the ferry, the MCC also supported the expansion of the landing bays at Adawso and Ekye Amanfrom to increase ferry and vehicular landing capacities, while the two passenger terminals had been given extensive expansion.

“My understanding is that Compact II of the MCC is about to start and that as part of the preparing works, a core team has been put in place to assist in the preparation of the Compact,” he said.

Mr. Terlabi added that the team had completed its work and submitted a report together with some recommendations to the government. Government, he added, had accepted the recommendations and selected power as its focus for Compact II.

The main focus of the Compact II is to adjust the deficiency in the electricity system in the country.

Dr. Albert Kofi Asamoa-Baah, Technical Adviser, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP) said government could not solve electricity challenges alone looking at the rigidity of the budget, hence the need for the focus on energy in the Compact II.**