Gov’t plans to spend GH¢1b on roads – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama on Friday announced that government had set aside GH¢1 billion for the construction of major roads throughout the country.

He said roads are essential for the promotion of trade and commerce and the promotion of commercial activities between Ghana and her neighbours in West Africa.

President Mahama said this when he addressed a durbar of chiefs at the Wa Jubilee Park as part of a day’s official visit to the Upper West Region.

Apart from the durbar, President Mahama inspected newly constructed Wa Regional Hospital, cut the sod for the construction of the Wa Urban Water Project at Jambussi and presented laptop computers to students of Wa Senior High School.

President Mahama said every region would benefit from the road project to create opportunities for socio- economic development.

On development in the Upper West Region, the President announced that government would soon upgrade the Wa Airstrip into an airport that would accommodate domestic flights.

He said government is working around the clock to provide potable water, good educational and health facilities throughout the region.

He gave the assurance his administration would ensure the completion of the Wa- Tumu-Navrongo road by the end of 2016.

President Mahama also promised to construct an ultra- modern hostel complex to accommodate students of  University for Development Studies to reduce the acute accommodation challenges of the academic facility.

He said efforts are being made to reverse the economic challenges that have bedevilled the country at the beginning of the year.

Naa Puobi Puori Chiir VIII, President of the Regional House of Chiefs appealed to government to transform the Wa and Nyankpala campus of the UDS into fully fledged universities to increase intake of students.

He also called on government to construct irrigation dams to create jobs for farmers during the dry seasons.

Source: GNA