GHc720,000 for Ghana@50 projects in V/R

Ho, Aug.09, GNA - About GHc 720,000 (7.2 billion cedis) have so far been released for projects and programmes to commemorate Ghana's 50th Independence anniversary in the Volta Region, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister said in Ho on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Dzamesi said some of the completed projects were the ceremonial park complex in Ho at a cost of GHc 399,876 (3,998,763,142 cedis) and the Presidential Lodge at the Residency at GHc6,612 (66,126,000 cedis).

He explained that the Presidential Lodge was selected under a dispensation by government to Regional Coordinating Councils to select some projects for sponsorship by the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat to commemorate the anniversary.

Mr Dzamesi said the residency was being refitted with air conditioners at GHc29,785 (297,850,000 cedis),renovation of the Residency conference and dinning room for which part payment of GHc13,956 (139,562,700 cedis) had been made.

Other projects were a public place of convenience at Anagokodzi for which part payment of GHc14,200 (142,000,000 cedis) had been made. Mr Dzamesi said others were the construction and installation of anniversary bill boards, GHc10,000 (100,000,000 cedis) and cost of anniversary celebration GHc8,325.50 (83,255,000 cedis).

He said support for security agencies was about GHc 2,700 (27,000,000 cedis).

Mr Dzamesi said each of the 15 municipal and districts had Ghc10,000(100,000,000 cedis) for the anniversary parade and other functions on March 6.

In addition, each of them would undertake the construction of a primary school and a kindergarten as a jubilee commemorative infrastructure project.

Mr Dzamesi said Ho Municipality would have a ceremonial road specially constructed, as Jubilee road, while the Gbi-Wegbe-Nkonya road would be reconstructed as an anniversary commemorative highway. He said an obelisk would be constructed in Ho.

Mr Dzamesi, accompanied by Mr Joseph Kwaku Nayan, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Steve Selormey, Volta Regional Coordinating Director, later led journalists and heads of departments to inspect the projects in Ho.

At the Jubilee Park Mr Dzamesi said contract had been awarded for the paving of the left and right wings of the dais for dignitaries to make more room for people during celebrations.

Togbe Afele, Chief of Hliha told Ghana News Agency that quality of work was good but the park was too small for a regional capital.