Government seeks $2bn Chinese loan for road infrastructure

Government is in the process of securing $2 billion loan from China to tackle the country’s road infrastructure deficit, President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced Tuesday in Wa.

“We are in the process of contracting a two-billion dollar loan from China into the road infrastructure in the country. And we have identified roads that will be the subject of the agreement,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo made the announcement when he paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, as part of his two-day visit to the Upper West region to evaluate projects and interact with the people.

“I am confident that by the time I come back from China, the agreement would have been complete and by the beginning of September work will start,” he said.

He said the Wa-Bulenga road which would link up to the proposed North-East Region has been identified among other important road networks that would open up economic activities and bring relief to the people.

He also said the Wa Township roads would be asphalted saying: “My government is coming to office to change the face of our nation that is why in my first inaugural address I said I am in hurry to fix the economy”.

The President appealed to the chiefs and people in the region to take seriously the government leading programmes planting for Food and Jobs and the Free Senior High School.

“We want to stop the importation of food from Burkina, Cote d’Ivoire…we can produce the food ourselves in Ghana here,” he said.

He said with the Free Senior High School policy government wanted to take create a situation where every young boy and girl go could to the minimum of senior high education in the country.

“That is the only way we can face the future with confidence. The whole population will be ready to face and win the battle for the development of Ghana”.

Naa Pelpuo IV said the non-commissioning of domestic commercial flights into the Wa Airport constituted a major constraint for teaming businessmen and women.

He said the business people had no option than to use the road transport with its attendant negative effects of highway robberies and time wastage.

The Chief was grateful the Wa- Han- Tumu road was ongoing steadily and urged equal attention be given to the Wa-Bulenga-Kundugu road.

“This road is the shortest route linking Wa to Sandema in the Upper East region and Walewale, West Mamprusi District in the newly proposed North-East region,” he said.

He also said the infrastructure of Wa Regional Hospital was old, deteriorated, poorly planned and unfavourable for smooth client flow.

“The hospital is also overstretched. Therefore, the need to move to a new and modern facility is long overdue,” he added.