‘I have reduced galamsey in W/R’

The outgoing Western Regional Minister, Ebenezer Teye Addo, has given account of his stewardship at a press briefing at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Sekondi.

“I have come to the end of my duty tour in the Western region and would be departing to the Central region in some few days. It has therefore become necessary for me to meet you to show my appreciation for the support I received during my tenure of office,” he noted.

Explaining further, Mr. Addo remarked that with the support of government and the inter-ministerial taskforce on illegal mining, activities of ‘galamsey’ operators were curbed.

“One critical issue we have successfully dealt with as the Regional Security Council is ‘galamsey’, even though it is not totally eradicated. Armed robbery, road accidents and general crime rate also reduced,” he added.

He mentioned that in the water sector a total of 11 small town water projects were awarded on contract at a cost of GH¢24,121,150.

He said the overall objective is to improve access to potable water as part of government’s development agenda.

The outgoing minister revealed that a total of 39 road projects were executed at a cost of $84,695.560.

He mentioned that in all GH¢3,253,271.17 was being spent on 15 educational infrastructure in the region, which fall in line with government’s agenda of increasing access to education.

Mr. Addo also indicated that a sod cutting ceremony was held to commence the construction of two community secondary schools in the region.

He mentioned that the schools would be sited at Bamiakor in the Ellembelle District and Adabokrom in the Bia District.

“Under the health sector, a total of GH¢8,499,117.96 was spent on the supply of medicine and non-medicine items,” he stressed.

He indicated that other initiatives included the Takoradi Port expansion project, the construction of the Sekondi-Takoradi Railway lines and sea defence wall at Essipon.

“The private sector also witnessed enough growth. Stone quarrying is flourishing because of increased construction works,” he added.