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Rt. Hon. Speaker
Your Excellency, the Vice President
Your Ladyship, the Chief Justice
Honourable Members of Parliament
I feel honoured to stand once again before this August house, pursuant to Article 67 of the
Constitut ...
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Rt. Hon. Speaker
Your Excellency, the Vice President
Your Ladyship, the Chief Justice
Honourable Members of Parliament
I feel honoured to stand once again before this August house, pursuant to Article 67 of the
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, to present to you a message on the State of the
Nation.
Mr. Speaker,
As I enter the 3rd year of my first term in office, I give praise to the Almighty God for
continuing to preserve and pour his bountiful favour on our nation. I also express my endless
thanks to the people of Ghana for giving me the opportunity to serve. This is a sacred
honour and trust that I swore in my oath as President, to always uphold. Next week will mark our country’s 58th anniversary as an independent nation. The story of our nation, since its proclamation at the stroke of midnight 6th March 1957, by our nation’s founder, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is a story of resilience. That night, the euphoria in the air was palpable. And as Dr. Nkrumah uttered those famous words, “At long last the battle is ended, and thus our beloved country Ghana, is free forever”, our fathers and mothers faced the future with joy and excitement.
Some of us were not born yet but we are able to capture the mood of the moment both
through the narrations given us by our elders and in the history books we have studied
growing up. As Nkrumah said, “seek ye first the political kingdom, and all other things shall
be added unto thee”. All other things meant prosperity, a quality life, happiness and even
wealth. Fifty-eight long years later, we know that the reality of life is one of challenges. We have been in the pits together, at times in the past when our neighbours described us as the
nation where people queued for toilet paper. In the early 80s hunger stalked our land and we
were compelled to take raw kenkey home to cook ourselves because we were afraid we
would lose out if we allowed the seller to cook it. We have also celebrated many victories together.
The story of Ghana is illustrated by a quote of the great African, Nelson Mandela. He said,
“the greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
We have gone through many challenges as a nation, but our defining spirit as Ghanaians is
that we have picked ourselves up each time we have fallen and continued to walk on. In our
journey towards creating a prosperous and dignified life for our people, we may find ourselves sometimes in the wilderness. We may not agree on the destination. There are
many who would complain of the hardships on this journey. There are even others who would suggest that life in bondage was far better. But as long as we believe, work together and hold on to our faith, we would create the country of prosperity that our people deserve. Nobody ever said it would be easy! And as has been said, we climb
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the greatest hill only to realize that there are many more hills to climb. Even the centuries
old, most advanced nations continue to climb their own hills. Challenges would come our
way, but believing in ourselves and working together, we shall overcome them. We have climbed many hills together and we shall conquer many more in our journey of progress.
Mr. Speaker, As I present this State of the Nation Address, our nation is confronted with one of such hill; the challenge of providing adequate electricity to power industry, business and for residential consumption. The effects and frustrations posed by the power deficit are clearly felt in our work places, our homes, schools and hospitals. The storage of food, academic activity, and artisans such as barbers, hairdressers, welders, and health care providers are all feeling the pinch of the power shortage. Big businesses and industries are also suffering and threatening to lay off workers. As leader of this nation by the grace of God, I more than anyone else understand the adverse impact of this energy shortfall on the growth of our economy. We have been here before. In 1983, 1998 and 2006/7 we suffered a similar occurrence. In the past what we have done has been to manage the situation. I do not intend to manage the situation as has been done in the past. I intend to fix it! I owe it to the Ghanaian people. I, John Dramani Mahama, will fix this energy challenge.
Perhaps the impact of the energy shortage is felt much greater today not only because of the
growth of our economy, but also because many more people have access to electricity than
in the past. Access to electricity in Ghana is 76% and ranked 2nd only to South Africa in sub-
Saharan Africa. Furthermore changes in the architectural design of many homes and offices, has resulted in a situation which requires the use of more air-conditioning to maintain a bearable temperature through most times of the year. Our rapidly growing population is also driving increasing demand for power supply. All these together with other structural and generational issues have contributed to an electricity supply gap that has oscillated between 300 and 600 MW. The lessons we must learn from all this is to plan better for the future.
Firstly, our demand for power is estimated to be growing in excess of 10% per annum. It
means that conservatively, we would have to double our electricity supply capacity every 8
years if we are to keep up with demand. Following power purchase agreements entered into with several Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and plants that VRA is currently working on, we expect, starting from this year and over the next 5 years to inject 3,665 MW of power into our power transmission grid.
The breakdown is as follows:
Sunon Asogli (Phase II) - 360MW
Sunon Asogli (Coal fired) - 750MW
CenPower - 350MW
Jacobsen - 360MW
Amandi - 240MW
GE - 1000MW
VRA (T4) - 185MW
VRA (KTPP) - 220MW
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Additionally, completion of planned steam generation units on some current single cycle
plants, namely TT1, CENIT and KTPP would add another 330 MW to our generation. When
this planned addition of 3,800 MW to our generation is realized, it will assure our energy
security into the future. Secondly, since 1965, we have relied principally on Hydro sources for our power supply. Our base load generation must now be shifted from hydro to thermal. Hydropower must become supplementary. In the last 2 years, because of low rainfall in the catchment area of the Volta, the level of the Akosombo reservoir has fallen to a critical level.
Challenges with thermal generation, has also meant that we have had to run our hydro plants
at nearly full capacity thereby drawing down more water from the lake. The result is that
today, Akosombo with installed capacity of 1,020 MW is currently supplying only at about
50%. The Kpong hydro power station has installed capacity of 160 MW and is currently
operating at about 70%. The 400 MW Bui hydro plant is at about 58% during our peak
consumption period. Thirdly, if we are to achieve energy security into the future, we must complete the reform of our power sector. The new Ministry of power is working urgently on proposals to restructure the power sector beginning with the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Bui Power Authority (BPA). The intention would be to bring the management of our hydro plants under one entity.
This will lead to a consolidation of our thermal resources in partnership with pension fund managers like SSNIT and other institutional investors. I believe this will allow for focus and specialization in these 2 critical power sectors of hydro and thermal. If our plans for energy security are to succeed, radical restructuring of the downstream distribution sector must occur. Under the new Millennium Challenge Compact we have an opportunity to review, restructure and totally refocus the operations of, especially, the ECG. I can guarantee to Ghanaians that we will transform the ECG into what we will all come to call a truly customer-responsive, efficient and profitable organization. Admittedly, part of ECG’s problems is the creation of Government institutions that believe that they are entitled to use power without paying for it. That was possible in the days of cheap power from Akosombo. Today, with the entry of the private sector and IPPs into the upstream generating sector, government cannot continue to subsidize power. In November last year, I carved out a new Ministry of Power from the former Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. This was meant to give a sharper focus and effort to the resolution of the present energy shortfall. As an immediate measure to resolve the current crisis, I have authorized the Ministry of Power to procure and feed into the system, 1,000MW of emergency power. Guarantees are currently being agreed for the following:
Karpower ship (Turkey) 450MW
APR (UAE) 250MW
GE 300MW
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The Ministry of Power estimates that this emergency power can be rolled out in months to
bring relief to the system while the more permanent plants mentioned previously are being
worked on. I would hold the Minister to his publicly stated commitment to resolve the
electricity supply deficit by the end of this year.
Mr. Speaker,
The prospects of gas fired thermal generation look very bright. The Ghana Gas Plant at
Atuabo is going through its commissioning phase and is currently supplying about 60 mscf of
gas to the Aboadze enclave of thermal plants. As VRA and partners put their thermal plants
in Aboadze in a better shape to take up more of the gas, the Atuabo Gas Plant would rump
up production to 120 mscf. We are also retrieving large quantities of LPG and other valuable
liquids as by-products of gas production. Gas supplies are expected to rise in 2016 when production begins in the TEN field. Just 3weeks ago I witnessed the sign of an agreement to begin work on the ENI/Vitol Sankofa field into operation. This investment is worth $7 billion and is reportedly the single biggest investment signed in recent history. The operationalization of TEN and Sankofa will bring Ghana’s gas production to above 300 mscf daily.
Mr. Speaker,
As part of our commitment to fully incorporate renewable energy into our supply mix, a
number of solar, wind, tidal wave and biomass projects are being pursued. The African
Plantations Limited project under which thousands of hectares of eucalyptus trees are being
planted as fuel would eventually generate one hundred and twenty megawatts of power. It
will also provide employment opportunities for our farmers and technician. We would be rolling out this year, new initiatives on solar energy. A prepaid solar meter scheme that would enable residents of remote off-grid communities own and enjoy solar lighting would be launched as a private sector activity facilitated by government. We are also working on a proposal that would make solar power available for micro enterprises operated by barbers, hairdressers, dressmakers and other such micro entrepreneurs whose businesses
have been hit by the present power challenges. The solution will also be available for residential consumers. We estimate that 200,000 rooftop solar systems will save the country about 200MW of power daily. It is proposed to fund this with an adjustment of the Energy Fund Levy on Petroleum Products from Gp0.05 to Gp1.0, part of which will be used to establish the Renewable Energy Fund. We also propose to introduce an ancillary service charge of Gp1.0 per kWh of electricity transmitted, part of which will be used to support the solar photovoltaic system.
Mr. Speaker,
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While we work on the generation side we must also look at the issue of power conservation.
By following the simple tips published by the Energy Commission and the PURC, we can
lower our electricity bills significantly. I commend the Energy Commission for the successful start of the Refrigerator Energy Efficiency Project under which the Commission is replacing old refrigerators with new energy efficient ones for households at a discount. In Ghana, on average, refrigerators consume more than one thousand, two hundred (1,200) kWh/year. If you consider that almost 30% of households in Ghana have a minimum of two refrigerators, then a lot of energy can be saved. We have also started the conversion of CFL bulbs to LED bulbs. In many areas, solar powered LED street lights have been installed. This has the potential to reduce consumption of power by lighted bulbs by up to 60%. In addition, the LED bulbs last longer, in some cases
up to15years.
AGENDA FOR TRANSFORMATION;
Mr. Speaker,
The agenda to transform the structure of the economy and position it as an export-driven
rather than an import-focused economy is on course. United as one people and with
determined commitment to its attainment, we shall transform the structure of this economy.
As President, I am required by the provisions of Article 36, Clause 5 of our Constitution to
present to Parliament, a Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development
Policies, including agricultural and industrial programmes at all levels and in all regions of
Ghana within two years of assuming office. I have accordingly submitted to the 6th Parliament
of the 4th Republic of Ghana, The Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social
Development Policies 2014-2020, An Agenda for Transformation.
Mr. Speaker,
The Programme forms the core of my vision to transform, and covers a broad range of issues in the areas of social and economic development, infrastructure and institutional
development. It also highlights a number of priority programmes and initiatives that Government will be pursuing in the short to medium term. I look forward, Mr. Speaker, to the debate of the Programme, which will feed into the preparation of a long-term national development plan by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST;
Mr. Speaker,
Education remains the surest path to victory over ignorance, poverty and inequality This is
self evident in the bold initiatives we continue to take to improve access, affordability, quality
and relevance at all levels.
BASIC EDUCATION;
Mr. Speaker,
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A decade and a half into the new millennium, we are providing, through our Basic Education
Programme, equitable access to good quality, child-friendly Universal Basic Education.
Through improvements in infrastructure and quality of teaching, provision of teaching and
learning materials, management and supervision of schools, quality and access to basic
education is being enhanced. To provide opportunities for those who are unsuccessful in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), we have for the first time, introduced a re-sit policy at the basic education level. The policy was given true meaning when one thousand one hundred and eighty-one (1,181) candidates last week had the chance to re-sit their BECE as private candidates. These are persons who, but for this golden opportunity, would have otherwise had their education terminated at the JHS level.
Mr. Speaker,
The story of a 46-year-old prisoner, Alexander Dorbaareh, and four other inmates who took
part in the re-sit in Wa in the Upper West Region reflects how golden and important the resit
policy is. The story of Alex Dorbaareh is similar to that of many others, aged between 16
and 56years, who took advantage of this unique opportunity to better their grades with the
hope of furthering their education. As a nation, we must and we are creating the necessary opportunities for all children of school going age to have access to quality education. We will continue to deliver social intervention programmes that will sustain access and reduce the cost of education to parents. This year, we will start with the distribution of ten thousand (10,000) locally produced made-in-Ghana school sandals to pupils in selected deprived districts.
! Six million (6,000,000) textbooks,
! Five hundred thousand (500,000) pieces of school uniforms,
! Fifteen million (15,000,000) exercise books, and
! Thirty thousand (30,000) computers will also be distributed to schools across the
country.
I am convinced we have enough capacity locally to print this material. I have asked the
Minister for Education to ensure that domestic printing houses are involved in fulfilling this
huge order.
Mr. Speaker,
There are more children in school now than ever before. At the close of the 2013/14
academic year, over 5.4 million children were enrolled at the basic education level. This
compares to a total enrolment figure of 4.6 million in the 2008/2009 academic year.
To consolidate our attainment of Universal Basic Education, twenty-four thousand, one
hundred and seventeen (24,117) out-of-school children were enrolled into school under the
Complementary Basic Education (CBE) programme, which began in 2014. Through this, more of our rural poor were offered opportunities to be educated in 4 regions- Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Brong Ahafo. One hundred thousand (100,000) out-of-school children are being recruited this year to expand the programme to cover the remaining six regions.
Mr. Speaker,
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Our focus on quality education requires the enhancement of teaching skills. To that end,
about one hundred and sixty thousand (160,000) teachers, representing 56% of teachers at
the basic education level received career development training. Another one thousand
(1,000) teachers have also undergone In-Service Training in line with the objective of
improving the teaching of mathematics and science. We shall continue with our interventions
to improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science across the country.
We envisage that this will help us meet the target of 60:40 in favour of the sciences as against humanities at the tertiary level. This is in line with our national development objectives.
Mr. Speaker,
As this House is aware, gender parity at the basic level remains a major priority in our
education policy. We have attained a 1:1 Gender parity ratio. Over ninety-two thousand
(92,000) girls have benefitted from the take-home ration programme in the Upper East,
Upper West and Northern Regions. Under the Global Partnership for Education Programme, fifty-five thousand (55,000) girls in Junior High School will also receive scholarships, school uniforms, sandals, bags and stationery. I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that the school shift system, through which pupils run shifts due to lack of adequate classrooms, has now been eliminated in many of our districts. In Wa, Sunyani Municipal, Tarkwa, Dansoman, Krachi Ntsumuru in the Volta Region and many other areas, school children can no longer skip school to play truant hiding behind the excuse of the shift system.
SECONDARY EDUCATION;
Mr. Speaker,
Enrolment at the second cycle level has increased by about 10% between 2013 and 2014.
This is the direct result of the general improvement in teaching and learning and provision of
critical infrastructure. More than a 1000 different projects, ranging from dormitories, classrooms, dining halls, auditoriums and administration blocks have been executed in
secondary schools across the country. In fulfilment of my vision to expand access to quality education, construction work is ongoing on the initial 73 Community Day Senior High Schools. Work will begin this year in 50 other locations. This year, we shall also commence the implementation of a number of interventions under a US$156 million Secondary Education Improvement Programme. The interventions include:
! Improving facilities and quality of education in 125 existing Secondary Schools
! Providing ten thousand, four hundred (10,400) needy students with scholarships
! Building the capacity of six thousand, five hundred (6,500) Mathematics, Science and
ICT Teachers and
! Providing leadership training for heads of second cycle schools
Mr. Speaker,
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The last phase of our Science Resource Centre project, which will benefit one hundred (100)
Senior High Schools will commence this year. As I announced in my last State of the Nation Address, Government will begin the implementation of the Progressively Free Secondary Education Programme at the start of the 2015/2016 academic year in September. This will benefit an estimated three hundred and sixty-seven thousand, five hundred and sixty-five (367,565) day students. As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of this August House have approved adequate financing for this programme in the 2015 budget.
Mr. Speaker,
My resolve to expand access, improve quality and to ensure affordability was accentuated
when we analysed the results of the WASSCE over the years. Between 2006, when the
WASSCE began, and 2014, the best performance indexed on students who attained grades
A1 to C6 was in the year 2012. The worst performance was recorded in 2007. In 2012, 31.19% of the students attained grades A1-C6. In the worst performing year, 2007 only 10.58% made grades A1-C6. This is followed closely by 12.95% in 2008. This shows
progress. These statistics demonstrate modest gains but there is more room for improvement. I will continue to work with all stakeholders to achieve measurable
improvements in the results over the next few years. I call on all parents and opinion leaders
to join me to ensure that our students commit much more time, than ever before to their
studies.
TERTIARY;
Mr. Speaker,
Our policy thrust at the tertiary education level remains the maintenance of high standards,
achieving equity and ensuring relevance within the context of producing high calibre
manpower able to fit into the world of work and lead our transformation agenda. In the
2013/2014 academic year, enrolment into Universities increased by 7.1%, 3.4% for
Polytechnics and 63.8% at the Colleges of Education. Work on the main campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), located at Sokode Lokoe near Ho is almost complete. The University has also admitted its first batch of medical students. At the University of Energy and National Resources, the first batch of agriculture students has been admitted to the Dormaa campus. Expansion works will continue at the main campus in Sunyani. In line with our policy to establish a public university in each region, Government has presented to parliament, a bill for the establishment of a University for Environment and
Sustainable Development in the Eastern Region. Preparatory works for the construction of a
main campus for the University will commence this year.
Mr. Speaker,
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I have received an interim report on the possible conversion of some campuses of the
University for Development Studies (UDS) into autonomous institutions. Further to that,
Government will, explore the processes towards converting the Wa and Navrongo
Campuses of the UDS into autonomous Universities in the Upper West and Upper East
Regions.
Mr. Speaker,
I am impressed with the progress of work on two historic projects- a new office complex for
the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and a new Secretariat for the Association of African Universities. Government is also working towards the vision to improve access to quality education at the tertiary level, through the deployment of ICT in distance learning. In this regard, a US$37.5 million Distance Education ICT facility has been established, linking all the 10 regional distance education centres of the University of Ghana. The facility includes three thousand (3,000) Internet-ready tablets for students, video conferencing facilities and smart lecture theatres.
Mr. Speaker,
In my address last year, I called for support from Honourable Members and the Academic
fraternity for our decision to establish a National Research Fund. A draft bill for the establishment of the fund is currently undergoing stakeholders’ consultation and review. We
need the cooperation of all stakeholders to “operationalize” the fund. Work on the conversion of Polytechnics to Technical Universities will progress with the expected passage of the Technical Universities Bill this year. Conversion of each Polytechnic will be assessed based on equipment, faculty and strong collaboration with industry. The take-off date is September 2016. In preparation for the conversion, Government will scale up our interventions in the nation’s Polytechnics, including a rigorous staff development programme to meet our policy objectives. I am encouraged by the overwhelming endorsement of the conversion by faculty, students, industry and alumni of the Polytechnics.
Mr. Speaker,
Under the Skills Development Fund of the COTVET, which is developing skills and
promoting technical and vocational training, over GH¢150 million in grants have been
provided to five hundred and ten (510) grantees made up of institutions, businesses and associations. Some of the beneficiaries are the KNUST Jewellery Design and Technology Centre, Progressive Electronic Technicians Association of Ghana, Ghana National Association of Garages, Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers and the Ghana
Association of Electrical Contractors. This year, grants totalling GH¢65million have been earmarked to be disbursed to an estimated 100 private sector firms. Through these interventions, technical and vocational education graduates are being offered expanded opportunities to translate their knowledge and skills into the creation of more jobs while at the same time transferring their skills to others.
Mr. Speaker,
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The implementation of these vital programmes and projects have been prioritized and
adequately budgeted for. Indeed the 2015 budget allocates to the education sector about
6.7 billion Ghana Cedis.
HEALTH;
Mr. Speaker,
And still talking about budgetary allocations, we will this year spend over 3 billion Ghana
Cedis on the health sector. This huge allocation confirms our view that a good economy resides in the health of our people. In the last few years, Government has pumped billions of Ghana Cedis into the provision of modern hospitals and the upgrading of facilities to facilitate speedy healthcare delivery. There are currently several major hospital projects under construction, which when completed will collectively deliver approximately six thousand (6,000) new hospital beds to facilitate access to improved health care by 2017.
The hospitals include:
1. A 617-bed University of Ghana Teaching Hospital
2. The 420-bed Ridge Hospital Expansion Project
3. A 104-bed Police Hospital Project
4. The 500-bed Military Hospital Project in Kumasi
5. The Second phase of the Tamale Teaching Hospital Expansion Project
which will add another 400 beds to the existing 400 beds
6. A 160-bed Upper West Regional Hospital
7. A 130-bed Maritime Hospital, Tema
8. The 295-bed Bolgatanga Regional Hospital
Mr. Speaker,
Additionally, work is at various stages of completion on 13 district hospitals to bring health
services closer to our people. These include 120-bed facilities at Dodowa, Fomena, Kumawu, Abetifi, Garu-Tempane, Sekondi and in Takoradi where the old European hospital
is being refurbished. We are also constructing 60-bed hospitals at Tepa, Nsawkaw, Konongo, Madina, Salaga and Twifo-Praso. We have also completed and commissioned for use, three district hospitals in Edjumako, Essam and Zabzugu, and 19 Health Centres at the following locations- Amasaman, Doffor, Pokukrom, New Jejeti, Paakro, Gwollu, Funsi, Sang, Northern Buipe, Manso Nkwanta, Abuakwa, Mase Sosekpe, Kedzi, Adamso, Kayoro, Timonde, Bonsu Nkwanta and Dadieso. This year, we shall commence the construction of 15 polyclinics, 10 in the Central Region. These will be located at Besease, Gomoa Dawurampong, Biriwa, Etsii Sunkwa and Esikuma Gyamera. The rest are Agona Duakwa, Bimpong Akunfude, Ekumfi Naakwa, Twifo Atimokwa and Gomoa Postin. The remaining 5 polyclinics to be constructed in the Greater Accra Region will be located at Adenta, Ashiaman, Bortianor, Oduman and Sege.
Mr. Speaker,
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The provision of modern diagnostic and treatment equipment under the National Medical
Equipment Replacement Programme has been expanded to cover 150 hospitals across the
country. All Teaching Hospitals, all Regional Hospitals, 125 District Hospitals, 14 Health Centers and 8 mobile clinics have benefited from the programme. The equipment received by the institutions vary from new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan, Fluoroscopy, X-ray and Digital Mammography machines, Oxygen Plants, and Ambulances. Under this programme, the nation’s foremost teaching hospital at Korle Bu, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital received significant resources to respectively replace and rehabilitate obsolete equipment and theatres.
Mr Speaker,
The Paediatric Surgery Theatre, which remained closed for almost eight years, the General
Surgery Theatre, the Neo-natal Intensive Care and the Babies’ Units have all been refurbished and currently operational. The St. Joseph Hospital in Nkwanta, the Adidome Hospital, the Dodo Pepesu Hospital and the Jasikan Government Hospital, all in the Volta Region have also benefitted from the National Medical Equipment Replacement Programme.
Mr. Speaker,
Outpatient utilization of the National Health Insurance Scheme went up to twenty- seven
million, four hundred thousand (27.4 million) in 2014. That is a sure sign of the benefits of the
Scheme to many of our citizenry. We will strengthen the fraud detection capacity of the scheme in order to eliminate detect and sanction facilities and personnel who take advantage of the system. This week, a portion of outstanding claims is being disbursed to health providers. Government will work to review the scheme to ensure its sustainability.
Mr. Speaker,
In January this year, the nation’s health delivery effort was severely threatened by a fire
outbreak at the Central Medical Stores, which resulted in the loss of medicines and
equipment estimated at GH¢356 million. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Short-term measures have been put in place to mitigate the impact of the fire
including the ordering of very critical medicines to mitigate any risk of widespread shortages.
The Ministry of Health is reviewing the Health Sector Supply Chain Master Plan with a view to improving the system of procurement. The new Health Commodity Supply Chain system will undertake procurements through
framework contracts and use the economies of scale so derived to drive down prices to
impact positively on health commodity security and the sustainability of the NHIS. This
improved supply chain would also cover all other health facilities including the Central
Pharmacy of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
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We have made significant progress in reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS and are on track
to achieve virtual elimination of mother to child transmission. We are also working with local
pharmaceutical companies to expand domestic supply of anti-retroviral drugs.
SOCIAL PROTECTION
Mr. Speaker,
As part of our commitment to the protection of the vulnerable, over ten thousand (10,000)
senior citizens are being provided free NHIS subscription in the Greater Accra, Central and
Eastern regions. Our senior citizens in communities such as La, Chorkor, Akoto Lante,
Madina, Teshie, Ashaiman, Nima and Nungua are benefitting from this package, and we will
be extending the exercise to other parts of the country. Very often orphans and abandoned children find themselves in situations that leave them homeless and vulnerable to the activities of social miscreants. Mr. Speaker, This is unacceptable, and in line with our social protection policy, eight hundred (800) orphans have been removed from previously inhumane environments and provided with shelter and care. Another one thousand, four hundred (1,400) caregivers were trained in all regions to support our social welfare programmes. To protect abandoned children and orphans against exploitation and maltreatment, 62 orphanages whose operations fell below accepted standards have been closed down.
Mr. Speaker,
In fulfilment of our manifesto promise, we have launched the Eban Elderly Welfare Card, a
priority identity card that enables our senior citizens, 65 years and above, to travel at half fare
on Metro Mass Transit buses across the country. The Eban card also allows our aged priority
access to banks, hospitals among others. So far one thousand, two hundred (1,200) senior
citizens have been registered and received their Eban cards and are enjoying the benefits.
This year, 150,000 of the poorest households are to benefit from the LEAP programme.
Mr. Speaker,
As we work to meet the needs of people who live with disabilities through insistence on the
provision of access to new and existing infrastructure, the provision of teaching and learning
aids among others, Government is in discussions with the leadership of the Federation for
Persons with Disability to roll out this year, a new and suitable Youth Employment Model for
five thousand (5000) persons with disability.
SPORTS;
Mr. Speaker,
Government will this year, put a desirable focus on other sporting disciplines other than
football, in order to contribute to their growth and the winning of more international medals
and competitions.
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In athletics for example, consistent planning and the personal motivation of our young
athletes earned Ghana our first Olympic Gold Medal in any sport, at any level. 17-year old
Martha Bissah from Kumasi who was among 12 other athletes, who won medals at the
African Championships in Morocco, went on to the Youth Olympic in China and snatched the
gold medal. Young Martha and her family were filled with joy and energy when I hosted
them at the Flagstaff House last year. Mr. Speaker, I agree with managers of our lesser-known sports that we can win more international medals. Accordingly, Martha will be afforded an opportunity to join other young athletes on scholarship in US Colleges where she can develop into senior level athletics. Government will also partner with corporate Ghana to support the programmes of the various sporting associations this year including the Swimming Association, which is producing very brilliant and fast swimmers winning medals in international competitions.
Mr. Speaker,
I wish to once again congratulate the senior national team, the Black Stars for their
performance at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament. Many Ghanaians lost hope in
the Black Stars ahead of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea. They gathered themselves
together, rose from the ashes of Brazil 2014 and proved themselves. It is not the first silver medal for the Black Stars, but the developments from Brazil is what changed the dynamics. Let me urge the Ghana Football Association to put a lot more focus on the other national teams just like it does for the senior team, in order to adequately prepare them for their international competitions as well. Also, the seeming total neglect of the local football league is a matter of concern to all. I wish to urge the FA to turn its attention to improving the quality of the local league and work towards making it attractive, exciting and worth following.
On the development of sporting infrastructure, work is progressing speedily on the Cape
Coast Stadium and is expected to be completed this year.
BUILDING A STRONG AND RESILIENT ECONOMY;
Mr. Speaker,
A year ago, I shared with this august House my vision to transform the structure of the
Ghanaian economy- transformation through diversification, value addition to our primary
products, the promotion and patronage of locally manufactured goods and services. This is
intended to make us self-reliant and position the country as an export-led economy to create
decent jobs. The economic benefits of a diversified and transformed economy are enormous. As a people we must make a conscious effort to eat what we grow, and add value to our primary raw materials. This will support a stable economy and job creation, improved GDP per capita and enhanced standards of living for the people.
Mr. Speaker,
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The initiatives introduced last have already started bearing fruit. In the area of rice
cultivation, for example, local production increased by 60%. According to the latest statistics
from the Bank of Ghana, our rice import bill fell by a whopping 41 percent, reducing from
US$467.2 million in 2013 to US$275.1 million in 2014. On my fraternal visits as ECOWAS Chair to our sister countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, at the height of the Ebola crisis, I donated 100 tons of food products to the 3 countries. Prominent among these products was a long-grain Made in Ghana rice brand called “Pride”– a clear evidence of the pride I felt in presenting our own home-grown variety to our neighbours in their time of difficulty. It is expected that as the Transformation Agenda gains traction, we would be able to reduce our import bill on other commodities and indeed be able to export some of the surplus.
Mr. Speaker,
Two weeks ago, I constituted a task force chaired by a former Deputy Governor of the Bank
of Ghana to work on the modalities for the establishment of a Ghana Export and Import
(EXIM) Bank that will consolidate all past efforts and become the key engine of the development of Ghana’s exports. The Ghana EXIM Bank will act as an intermediary between
government and exporters, and assist our exporters to compete internationally by providing
insurance and finance facilities to support their overseas contracts.
Mr. Speaker,
In Komenda, in the Central Region, a new sugar factory is under construction. When
completed, we will be reducing significantly, the over US$300 million we spend annually on
sugar imports. We will also be able to support local industries, such as beverage and ice
cream manufacturers, who require large amounts of sugar for their products. Ghana imports,
on average, three hundred and seventy-five thousand (375,000) metric tons of sugar annually. In addition to the Komenda factory, discussions have been concluded for another sugar estate and factory in the Northern Region. Put together, the two plants should be able to reduce by more than 80% the import of sugar in the coming years. The establishment of
these sugar plants will also create employment opportunities, especially for the youth, in
their host communities. The Komenda Sugar Factory alone will create seven thousand, three
hundred (7,300) direct and indirect jobs in addition to the savings on foreign exchange.
Mr. Speaker,
The poultry industry is one of the sub-sectors receiving major government attention and
benefiting from a policy to invest in strategic sectors to produce locally some of the products
on which we are currently expending a huge amount of foreign exchange. One year on, we
have launched a 20 million Broiler Project with a target to reduce the importation of poultry
by 40% by the end of next year, 2016 and save this economy about US$150 million. Indeed latest statistics show that we have achieved a drop of 30% in poultry imports from $208.7 million to $149 million. Our poultry farmers are already reaping the benefits associated with the increased demand for their products on the domestic market as a result of this policy. The financial support to poultry farmers from the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund is helping them re-organize their businesses and produce to meet local demand. This year, an additional 200 poultry farmers will receive financial support as part of the broiler project.
Mr. Speaker,
Government has also extended support of GH¢51 million, to a number of local pharmaceutical companies to expand their operations, retool their factories and obtain
critical certification to enable them meet international export standards. My working visits to
Ernest Chemist and Tobinco Pharmaceuticals reaffirmed my belief in what Ghanaian
industries can do when given the needed support. I am proud of the dominant role of indigenous Ghanaian entrepreneurs in this particular sector of industry. This healthy
partnership with our pharmaceutical companies, including Dannex and DanAdams, will
continue and will be extended to other sectors to generate more decent work for the youth
of Ghana.
Mr. Speaker,
These successes have been attained within the context of a transition to a lower middle income country status and its attendant challenges, which include dwindling access to grants
and concessionary financing from our development partners, and a growing demand for
essential social services, by a growing and affluent middle class. Notwithstanding the recent macroeconomic challenges, investor confidence in Ghana continues to grow as a result of measures introduced to stabilize the economy. Last year, inflows from foreign direct investment stood at US$3.57 billion from 184 projects. The oversubscription of the 2014 US$1billion Eurobond as well as the US$1.7billion syndicated loan for cocoa purchases is a further testimony of investor confidence in our economy. Our subsequent market activities will target the development of infrastructure and refinancing of the 2007 Eurobond.
The US$7 billion agreement for the development of the Sankofa field is easily the single
largest investment made in our petroleum sector.
SECURING OUR BRIGHT MEDIUM TERM PROSPECTS;
Mr. Speaker,
In order to achieve policy certainty and attain broad support for our Home Grown Economic
Policies, we decided in August 2014 to open discussions with the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) for a three year Extended Credit Facility programme. As I address you this
morning negotiations are being concluded with an IMF mission team here in Accra and later
this afternoon I expect an announcement of a positive outcome of these discussions.
We have come this far as a result of the very fruitful stakeholder consultations during the
National Economic Forum held at Senchi, in the Eastern Region, in May of 2014. This forum
gave valuable input into government’s fiscal consolidation policy which proved very useful in
our negotiations with the IMF. I wish to express the nation’s gratitude to all those who made the Forum possible. Among many others may I express the nation’s gratitude to Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, former President Jerry John Rawlings, Secretary General of the TUC, President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Mr. Kwame Pianim, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, Dr. Patrick Awuah, and the late Sir Engineer Paul Victor Obeng, who regrettably passed on only a day after the Senchi consensus was reached. May his soul rest in peace.
I also wish to commend the members of my Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy
(PAGE) Mr. Kwame Pianim, Nana Oye Mansa, Dr. K.Y. Amoako, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey,
Governor Kofi Wampah, Seth Terkper and of course my Vice President Kwesi Bekoe
Amissah-Arthur. I have really benefitted and continue to benefit from their tireless efforts and
invaluable advice.
Mr. Speaker,
May I at this point commend our tripartite partners - Organised Labour and Employers- for
the understanding and sacrifice that culminated in an early conclusion of this year’s wage
negotiations. And in particular for keeping the wage level within budget limits. It demonstrates a commitment by the social partners to work collectively to improve the
economy for our common good. Collaboration with our social partners has seen a decline of the public sector wage bill as a percentage of tax revenues from a high of 73% in 2012 to 49% at end of 2014. We still have some way to go if we are to hit the recommended ECOWAS benchmark of 35%. Meanwhile, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is expected to finalise work on the Category 2 and 3 allowances. Aggressive work is continuing on cleaning the payroll and ridding it of ghosts. Cabinet approved the recommendations of the inter-ministerial sub-committee and would work with the private sector and our development partners to achieve a HRMIS and a pay roll that is decentralized and has integrity. Cabinet approved additional measures in order to make adjustments to the budget
following the dramatic decline in crude oil prices. It is estimated that Ghana stands to lose
about $700 million from oil exports if the price remains at current levels. I have asked the
Minister for Finance to engage with you Honourable members on the new measures.
Mr. Speaker,
As we did with the Sankofa (ENI-Vitol) Gas agreement, other critical projects such as the GE
Ghana 1000 project will be supported by Partial Risk Guarantees approved by Cabinet and
Parliament. The World Bank and the African Development Bank will issue these alternative
guarantee instruments. Mr. Speaker, Government is working to strengthen the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to give it a greater degree of autonomy and decentralise its operations in the regions. A Strategic Plan for the NPRA will be launched this year. I am confident the unresolved issues such as the Unification and Past Credit and governance structure to manage Tier Two Pensions will be addressed this year to the satisfaction of all parties. I wish to assure all Pensioners of the safety OF and better investment returns ON their pension funds. I advocate an enhanced relationship of trust with Ghanaian workers, a partnership and collective action anchored in the national interest. On our part, we pledge to continue to work to achieve the strictest discipline in government expenditure. In this regard, new initiatives would be rolled out this year to prevent the misuse of fuel, telephone, electricity and water in public establishments.
REAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE – AGRIBUSINESS, TRADE AND INDUSTRY;
Mr. Speaker,
In 2014, agriculture, industry and the services sectors continued on the trajectory of positive
growth with significant outputs in the fisheries, livestock and the construction sub-sectors. It
is worth noting that manufacturing has been identified as a major area where critical
attention is needed. I am as a strategy, positioning Ghana to attract investors in the light industry, who are currently looking for new destinations away from the increasing costly centres of China and other parts of South East Asia.
Mr. Speaker,
To ensure food security and to assure our hardworking farmers of appreciable returns on
their investments, government will distribute 180,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer and continue
with the agriculture mechanization programme to make available in the districts more than
1,000 tractors and other implements including harvesters, threshers, planters and sprayers for use by farmers. More than GH¢120 million has been made available to the rice, poultry, shea, cashew and other agro-processing sub-sectors to boost production. Out of this, the rice production sub-sector alone received GH¢22 million.
Mr. Speaker,
Over 60% of animal protein in the diets of Ghanaians is fish. Indeed, annual fish consumption in Ghana is about 24kg per person, which is well above the world average of about 16.7kg per person. Our demand for fish outstrips supply by 50%. Government is determined to bridge the 50% deficit through aquaculture development and the expansion of family fish farming across the entire coast and inland water communities. Government aims to reduce the importation of fish by at least 20% in the short term. Among other measures, Government will, this year, facilitate the acquisition of three thousand (3,000) outboard motors for our fishermen.
Mr. Speaker,
A new fisheries cold store has also been completed in New Takoradi for the storage and
preservation of fish. Work is also progressing on the Fish Processing Factory at Elmina. I have asked MASLOC to put together a revolving fund for the benefit our fishmongers along the fishing communities. When I announced a GH¢10 million fund for the Youth Enterprise
Support (YES) Initiative, I assured the youth that the Initiative will be administered in a fair
and non-partisan manner. Since its launch in August 2014, the Secretariat has received a total of two thousand and forty-eight (2,048) applications.
Mr. Speaker,
Forty-five percent (45%) of the applications are for business start-ups in Agriculture and
Agribusiness and 24% to set-up Cottage Industries. Thirty-one percent (31%) of the
applications are however focused on the Services sector. This is an indication of the
enthusiasm of the youth to take advantage of government’s initiative to go into
entrepreneurship. The applications are currently been assessed.
Mr. Speaker,
Let me thank this Honourable House for the debate, the amendments and the inputs that
went into the passage of the Youth Employment Agency Bill, which is envisaged to employ
one hundred thousand (100,000) of our youth. This forms part of Government’s efforts to
create more jobs for the youth.
COCOA;
Mr. Speaker,
The cocoa industry continues to play a pivotal role in our economy. The producer price of
cocoa has gone up by 62.74%, i.e. from three thousand, three hundred and ninety-two
Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,392.00) per tonne to five thousand, five hundred and twenty Ghana
Cedis (GHC 5,520.00) per tonne. For the 2014/2015 cocoa season, the Ghana Cocoa Board will continue the free fertilizer application (Hi-tech) programme for cocoa farms. The Board is also distributing a total of fifty million (50,000,000) improved cocoa seedlings free of charge to farmers. Ahead of that, it has recruited four thousand (4,000) people in 87 cocoa growing communities who have planted and are nursing the seedlings.
Mr. Speaker,
On the occasion of the second anniversary of my administration last month, I spent the day in the cocoa growing community of Assin Senchem in the Central Region. I was on the farm of a young cocoa farmer, Samuel Torbi, and his enthusiastic young friends who have all taken to cocoa farming. I felt encouraged that there is an emerging young generation of cocoa farmers who will take over from the older generation. I invited Mr. Torbi and his friends to be my guest at this State of the Nation event and I presume he should be in the gallery
somewhere.
Mr. Speaker,
I have requested Cocobod to unveil a programme to acquire land to engage more young
people in cocoa farming.
Mr. Speaker,
Markets play an important role in the socio-economic development of our people. Markets
support our women empowerment agenda, revenue mobilization efforts of the MMDAs and
provide direct or indirect employment for a substantial proportion of the active labour force.
Historically, many of our important settlements including Kumasi and Cape Coast owe their
rapid expansion to commerce. I am happy to report to the House that reconstruction work on the new Kotukuraba in Cape Coast and Aboabo in Tamale are progressing steadily. Work
on the Ho Central Market is ongoing and construction of the new Kumasi Central Market will
begin soon.
Mr. Speaker,
Tourism continues to be a major foreign exchange earner after gold, cocoa and foreign
remittances. In 2014 a total of 319,000 direct and indirect jobs were created. The Ministry of
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts will continue to promote festivals and events such as the
Homowo festival, Emancipation Day, Okwahuman Paragliding, National Chocolate Day
among others. We shall continue to strengthen the linkages between hotels, catering and tourism by building capacity through the Hotel Catering and Tourism Training Institute (HOTCATT). Through these efforts the Creative Arts industry will be offered enhanced outlets for the industry to flourish. I look forward to an enhanced and mutually beneficial partnership between the creative arts industry and Government in the coming months.
EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWTH;
Mr. Speaker,
While we continue to build more hospitals and schools, other critical sectors such as water,
roads, transport, ICT and Telecommunication sectors continue to engage our attention.
Development of key infrastructure is not only for job creation but also for general socioeconomic transformation. It is estimated that Ghana suffers an infrastructural funding gap of about US$1.5 billion a year. While creating a conducive environment for the private sector to participate in infrastructure development, government in 2014 took a decisive step and started the process for the establishment of a Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The Fund, which is financed by receipts from a VAT levy and contributions from tax, which has a funding mechanism already approved by Parliament, 2.5% of VAT receipts, The GIIF will serve as a vehicle to mobilize resources to scale-up the development of critical
infrastructure in the country. It will also help in implementation of a more sustainable debt
management strategy, which focuses on viable commercial projects with appreciable return
on investment and repayment mechanisms through escrows and debt service accounts.
Mr. Speaker, With the GIIF, we should reduce the funding gap for infrastructure projects considerably and execute projects needed to help drive our desired growth as a lower middle-income country.
WATER;
Mr. Speaker,
20
We have spent in excess of US$1.1 billion on the construction of new water systems, and
expansion of some existing ones across the country. Water is a basic necessity of life, yet for
many decades, vast sections of our people had no access to it, contributing to the spread of
water-related diseases. Today, thanks to massive improvements in potable water supply, the
World Health Organisation (WHO) after evaluating Ghana last year, revealed that we have
successfully eradicated the Guineaworm disease. We are awaiting the appropriate certification to that effect. We have over the last two years reversed significantly the unacceptable hardship many of our women and children, especially, go through in their search for water. Across the length and breadth of the country, various water projects are ongoing and others are at various stages of completion. At the end of this year, 2015, we will be covering 76% of the entire country, both rural and urban areas with good drinking water.
This is in fulfillment of the prescriptions of the National Water Policy and the work programme of the 2012 Manifesto of the NDC, which seeks to achieve 100% water coverage
for our people by 2025.
Mr. Speaker,
In fulfilment of the pledge I made during my address last year to complete and deliver a
number of major water projects, I am happy to report that on the eve of last year’s Christmas,
I recently commissioned Kpong Water Expansion Project and opened the valve to commence the flow of 20 million gallons of water to households and businesses in the north-eastern part of Accra. An additional 20 million gallons is available and scheduled to start flowing at end of this month to achieve the set daily capacity of the plant, which is 40 million gallons of water per day. For the over seven hundred thousand (700,000) residents whose taps were running for the first time in almost 2 decades and over, it was a pleasant Christmas Bonus. These residents include those living in Adenta, Adjiriganor, Ashaley Botwe, North, East and West Legon, Madina, Haatso and their environs.
Mr. Speaker,
Last year, in July, we completed work on the Kpong Intake Rehabilitation Project, which is
currently contributing 3.3 million gallons of water per day to the Greater Accra Metropolitan
Area Water System. Beneficiary communities include Dodowa, Ningo, Prampram all in the
Greater Accra Region and the Akuapem Ridge in the Eastern Region. Still on the water sector, we also completed the Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area Water Supply Project, which has added nine million two hundred thousand (9.2 million) gallons per day to water supply in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. This has improved water supply
to an estimated quarter of a million inhabitants.
Mr. Speaker,
The beneficiary communities include:
1. Michel Camp, Afienya and surrounding areas
2. Ayitepa, Kponguno, Omankope, Doyumu and surrounding areas
3. Bawalashie, Oyibi, Amanfro and surrounding areas
4. Fafraha, Ayikuma, Abokobi, Pantang and surrounding areas
5. Aperade, Adukrom, Awukugua, Dawu and surrounding areas
7. Akropong, Mamfe, Amanokrom, Tutu and surrounding areas
7. New Senchi, Akrade, Senchi and surrounding areas
Mr. Speaker,
We have also introduced into our water production mix, a Desalination Water Project, which
is the first ever, desalination plant in this country. The Teshie-Nungua plant is currently
supplying 13.2 million gallons of water per day to about half a million people in Teshie,
Nungua, the Teshie military barracks, Batsoona, Sakumono and parts of La-Dadekotopon.
Total water supply to the capital, Accra, has therefore increased by more than 65.7 million
gallons of water per day. Through these investments we have therefore outstripped the
demand for water in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area by 2.7 million gallons per day.
Mr. Speaker,
The vision to end totally the problems of water shortages has not been limited to the urban
parts of the country or to Accra alone. New water systems have been completed and
commissioned at Anyinam, Kibi, Osenase, Apedwa and Kwabeng. The Asante Mampong
Water Supply Project is also now supplying the inhabitants of Damang, Daaho, Basafour,
Besease, Kyeremfaso, Krobo, Mpenya, Dadease, Bonkron, Nsuta, and Beposo with water.
The Nsawam Water Supply Project and the Essakyir Water Project have also been
completed. From the Upper East and Upper West Regions through Sunyani in the Brong
Ahafo Region down to Accra, many more projects are at various stages of completion to
bring relief to our people.
Mr. Speaker,
We have already set in motion the processes to meet future demand in view of population
growth. Plans are being finalized to undertake the following projects to ensure reliability and
sustainability of water supply from 2015 to the year 2030. These include the Kpong Water
Supply Expansion Phase 2, Weija Water Supply Expansion and the Asutsuare Water Supply
Projects.
Mr. Speaker,
One other critical area of focus for Government is housing. The estimated housing deficit for
Ghana is 1.7 million. Projects targeting the middle to lower income bracket and giving them
an opportunity to own decent homes are being rolled out. Largely focused in the towns and cities, include:
! A five thousand (5000) affordable housing project, which is underway at Saglemi in
the Ningo District of the Greater Accra Region. The first 200 houses should be ready
for occupancy by the close of this year.
! 168 housing units with related infrastructure has been completed and handed over to
the security services. Work on an additional three hundred and sixty-eight (368)
housing units under the second phase of this project has also started.
! Another five thousand (5,000) affordable housing units, branded ‘Nyame Dua estates,
also in Kpone, is almost 70% complete.
! We have also made considerable progress towards completing a total of four
thousand, seven hundred and twenty (4,720) affordable housing units in five regions
of the country. These were started in 2006 in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern,
Upper West and Eastern regions.
Mr. Speaker,
To further consolidate the gains, we are developing the following:
! A National Housing Policy
! A Ghana Building Code and Review of Building Regulations
! Legislation on Condominium Properties and the
! Establishment of a Regulatory agency for the Real Estate sector.
ROADS;
Mr. Speaker,
We are working on many road projects to open up the country to reduce road traffic
accidents, boost economic activities, and bring foodstuffs to the market centres with ease.
Despite the large number of road projects underway, there still remains a lot to be done in
the sector. There is however considerable evidence to show that no effort is being spared to
fix the country’s roads. This year we are beginning what would be the single largest
intervention in the road sector in this country. The project would see investments of about GH¢1 billion in roads commencing this year and ending in 2019 during my second term in office. These projects will be funded with a mix of Cocoa infrastructure fund financing and Government of Ghana budgetary support.
Mr. Speaker,
In the Western Region work is progressing steadily on the 110km Agona Junction- Elubo
road, the 94km Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road and the 52km Ayamfuri- Asawinso roads.
Other roads works in the region that will see intensified work include Sefwi-Bekwai-Eshiem,
Sefwi Wiawso-Akontombra, Prestea- Samreboi, Benchema-Oseikojokrom and the Juabeso-
Bodi- Akontombra roads. In the Sekondi- Takoradi Municipality, 20 kilometres of the town roads have been asphalted while work is about to start on another 25 kilometres. Construction work is also ongoing on the Kansaworodo bypass, Fijai bypass and Ntankofo link to help improve access within the twin city.
Mr. Speaker,
Work has resumed on lots 2 and 4 of the Eastern Corridor Road in the Volta Region. These
are the Asikuma Junction-Kpeve, Dodo Pepesu- Nkwanta, Nkwanta-Oti Damanko stretches. A number of roads have meanwhile been completed in the region and others ongoing.
These are: the Sogakope-Battor, Juapong-Fodzoku- Torgome, Kete Krachi-Buya, Ho-Fume,
Worawora- Dambai, Bame- Dzolokpuita-Kpedze, Ho-Adidome, Adutor-Akutukope, among
others. The others are, Metrikasa-Havedzi, Golokwati-Wli-Hohoe roads, Tadzewu town roads, and the Hohoe town roads.
Mr. Speaker,
Here in the capital, the various road projects are visible to all regular users of our roads. The
East Legon enclave roads have been resurfaced and others constructed. The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange is changing the landscape of the centre of Accra while the works on
the Giffard (El Wak) Road is progressing smoothly. Even before it is opened fully to traffic,
the benefits of the 37 – La Palm junction road are been felt. The Awoshie- Pokuase Road has been opened to traffic pending the final completion of works and other ancillary social intervention projects like markets, a hospital, schools and a lorry park. Also ongoing in Accra are the Burma Camp Road Phase 1 and 2, the Spintex Road bypass, the Nungua-Sakumono Beach Road and the Ashaiman Highway Road. This year, we will commence work on the redevelopment of the Accra-Tema Motorway into a six-lane highway with interchanges. Resurfacing works will also take place on roads in North and South Kanda, James Town, Adabraka, Mamprobi, Chorkor, Adenta and Madina.
Mr. Speaker,
The 147-kilometre Fufulso-Sawla Road in the Northern Region is almost complete while the
Buipe-Tamale road asphalt overlay has been completed. The Nakpanduri-Oti Damanko
portion of the Eastern Corridor and I will join the people in that section of the road to cut the
sod for commencement of road works. In the Central Region, work on the Kasoa Interchange, which comes with a major community upgrading component involving the construction of schools, hospitals and water projects would commence in the coming weeks. This project will remove one of the most frustrating
bottlenecks in the country’s road network. The Kasoa bypass, Mankessim-Abura Dunkwa, Assin-Twifo Praso, Essiam Town roads and the Breman Asikuma-Amanfopong road are but a few of the ongoing works to improve roads in the Region.
Mr. Speaker,
In the Eastern region, work has resumed on the Kwafokrom- Apedwa road and will be
completed in 12 months. Also to receive renewed attention this year are the Nsawam-
Apedwa road, Nsawam-Aburi, the Suhum-Asamankese and Nkawkaw- Atibie roads. The
Oterkpolu- Odumase road has also been awarded on contract.
Mr. Speaker,
24
In Ashanti Region, work on the Sofoline Interchange would be completed this year. Last year
I commissioned the Assin Praso- Bekwai Road, which came with a two-lane bridge over the
Pra River. I also inspected some 20km of Kumasi town roads, which have been upgraded.
Another 40km of Kumasi roads will be upgraded this year. Other major projects ongoing in
the region include Bomfa Junction- Asiwa-Bekwai, Bekwai-Ampaha-Asiwa, Kumawu-Timaate-Drobonso and Agyenkwaso-Anomabu-Gyadem roads.
Mr. Speaker,
In the Brong Ahafo Region, the Nsawkaw-Namase section of the Wenchi-Sampa Road,
Berekum-Sampa, Atebubu-KwameDanso-Kwadwokrom, Goaso-Kukuom Junction, Prang-Kintampo, Kintampo- Abease and Dormaa Ahenkro-Nkrankwanta roads are receiving attention. In the Upper East Region, the Navrongo-Tumu, Navrongo-Tono, Bolgatanga-Bongo and Wikongo-Tongo Roads as well as the Bolga-Bawku, Misiga-Kulungugu and Sandema-Wiesi roads are g
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