We will expand Our social infrastructure- President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says government would expand the country’s social and economic infrastructure when voted back into power in the forthcoming general election in December.

He mentioned the expansion of facilities at the Tema and Takoradi harbours, construction of the eastern and western corridor roads, establishment of an inland port for the SADA zone and the upgrading of all the regional airports into international standards.

President Mahama announced this when he outlined the NDC’s policy for the coming years in the IEA evening encounter in Accra.

President Mahama said apart from the provision of these facilities, government would also upgrade the Tamale airport to become the second international airport in Ghana.

He said the Takoradi, Kumasi and Sunyani airports would also be upgraded, while aerodromes would be established in all regional capitals to facilitate air transport in the coming years.

The President said government had set aside a $100 million facility from the Chinese loan to empower small and medium scale enterprises to undertake their own programmes that would make them employers, rather than being perennial dependents on government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

President Mahama said government would also review the procurement law that would be advantageous to the local businesses to take the centre-stage in employment and achieve the local content desires of Ghanaians.

He said the production of gas and its by-products in the coming years would not only create jobs, but would also revive the dwindling fortunes of the Volta Aluminium Company to undertake major production for both domestic consumption and for export.

The President said the Takoradi Polytechnic would be supported to train more technical persons in oil and gas extraction and production to sustain the industry for Ghanaians in the coming years.

President Mahama also answered questions on various areas of national life including the economy, education, health, salary structures, labour issues, science and technology, employment, housing and social interventions in the country.