Aliu cuts sod for reconstruction of 41-billion-cedi Dzindzin-Dodi-Papase

Road

Dapaa (V/R) Jan. 17, GNA - Work is to begin on the 33-kilometre Dzindzin-Dodi-Papase Road, following a sod-cutting ceremony on the project, performed by Vice President Aliu Mahama at Dapaa in the Kadjebi District of the Volta Region, on Friday. The 41.6 billion cedi project, which forms part of the Jasikan-Breweniase Trunk Road, is being financed with a 33.3 billion-cedi credit from the World Bank, while the government is providing the additional 8.3 billion cedis.

The Trunk road links the region with Northern Ghana and forms an integral part of the of the Trans West Sahelian Highway Network, stretching from the Tema Motorway Roundabout through Kulungugu in the North to Burkina Faso.

Addressing a grand durbar at Dapaa, attended by several paramount chiefs from Northern Volta, Vice President Mahama, stressed the Government's determination to invest in road and transport infrastructure as a catalyst to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of Ghanaians. Last year, he said, the Government initiated the reconstruction and rehabilitation work on 463 kilometres of road in seven regions at the cost of 1.564 trillion cedis. He explained: "Road and Transport infrastructure provide the main arteries of commerce, goods and services such as health and education. It promotes social integration and facilitates good governance in our districts and the country at large.

"Research has conclusively shown that increase in public investment in road and transport infrastructure enhances poverty reduction in all its dimensions and stimulate economic development through the creation of opportunities, empowerment of people and enhancing social security of our nation."

Vice President Mahama urged the people along the route, which would be transformed into a first class road, to take advantage of the project to increase their productivity, particularly, in the cultivation of cocoa and major food crops. Although the road is located in a very productive agricultural area, the highest producer of cocoa in the Volta Region, economic activity is said to have declined as result of the deterioration of the road for many years. He assured them that the other sections of the road in various settlements would be reconstructed in due course and advised the contractor of the project, Top International Engineering Corporation of China, to deliver quality work.

The Vice President advised the people to desist from the smuggling of cocoa to neighbouring countries, explaining that selling the cocoa in Ghana would beef up the national coffers and create revenue for development projects in their areas. They should also resolve the chieftaincy and other disputes, particularly in Dodi and Mempeasem Zongo, because conflicts discourage investors and retard progress. Vice President Mahama assured the people that the government was committed to make the December general election the most peaceful, free and fair contest.

Mr Mats Karlsson, Country Director of the World Bank, announced that under a four-year programme, the Bank would commit one billion dollars to support health, education, water and other projects. He urged Ghanaians to support the Government's efforts to secure the cedi, boost private activities and strengthen the economy. Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, noted that improving the status of the nation's road network, would reduce national poverty level from 39 per cent to 32 per cent, with a reduction of poverty among farmers from 59 per cent to 46 per cent by 2005. Additionally, he said, agricultural growth would rise from 3.8 per cent to five per cent in line with the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The Paramount Chief of Dapaa, Nana Kwaku Gyampoh, expressed his gratitude, for the road project, saying its transformation to a first class road was laudable, as the road had never been tarred before. Vice President Mahama later interacted with the Muslim Community at Ahamansu and inspected the Poase Cement Health Centre.