Western Region is yet to meet rural water coverage
Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, says government has made tremendous efforts through social intervention schemes, aimed at improving the lots of the people.
He listed some of the interventions as the construction of asphalt roads, resealing of rural feeder and urban roads, provision of school infrastructure, CHP compounds to improve access to health care and the general improvement in communication infrastructure.
He said these are key components of the government to changing the lives of the populace.
Mr Aidoo was speaking at the 2016 “Government for the People” Forum spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications to enable direct interaction by the citizenry with government on development of the country and its people.
The Forum on the theme: “Changing Lives, Transforming Ghana,” brought together traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and members from the various political divide.
Mr Aidoo said the various development projects notwithstanding, illegal mining, sea erosion and other unmotorable feeder roads within the corridors of the Region continue to be a big challenge.
“Government is in the process of finding lasting solutions to these problems,” he said.
One key area of concern according to him, was rural water supply coverage, which is still low and below the national coverage.
Ms Joyce Bawa, the Deputy Minister for Transport, said government had developed a master plan for the rail sector while a transaction adviser had been procured to restore the defunct Ghana Airways.
Again, government is to establish air transport facilities in all the regions to facilitate transportation.
Ms Bawa hinted that it is probable that pilgrims from the Northern Regions may be air lifted directly to Saudi Arabia instead of converging at Accra amidst the numerous annual inconveniences.
Mr Samuel Okudzetu Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Education in Charge of Tertiary lauded the Region for the great performance during the Basic Education Certificate Examination year under review.
He said eight out of the 22 districts in the Region occupied the topmost positions as against the well-endowed schools.
The Deputy Minister mentioned that the topmost districts were from the northern parts of the region with Sefwi-Akontombra topping the list.
Mr Ablakwa said: “This indicates that given the right kind of attitude, personal touch, love for the children and sacrifices, our children even in the hinterlands can march boot by boot with city folks.”
Source: GNA