President John Dramani Mahama has assured the chiefs and people of the Bono Region that they will receive a significant share of the government’s development agenda, particularly under the flagship Big Push Infrastructure Initiative.
The President gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Bono Regional House of Chiefs at the Presidency. The delegation, led by the President of the House and Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefuo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II, paid a courtesy call to express gratitude for the numerous road projects currently underway across the region.
Addressing the chiefs, President Mahama said the Bono Region had been allocated a substantial portion of the government’s ongoing infrastructure programme, especially in the road sector.
According to him, the government deliberately prioritised road construction under the first phase of the Big Push Initiative after inheriting what he described as a severely deteriorated road network across the country.
“When we came into office, despite claims that thousands of kilometres of roads had been constructed, we found the road sector in deep crisis. Almost every major arterial road was in a deplorable state,” the President stated.
He explained that the Bono Region had emerged as one of the major beneficiaries of the programme due to the strategic importance of its road network.
“In the Bono Region, we have captured quite a lot of roads. Indeed, if you scan the Big Push distribution, you will realise that Bono has received a very significant share of road infrastructure,” he said.
President Mahama further disclosed that additional roads in the region were currently being assessed for inclusion in the second phase of the programme, which is expected to commence under the 2027 national budget.
Among the projects expected to be considered is the Akyeremasu-Gambia road, which serves several communities within the region.
“The Akyeremasu-Gambia road is very important, and you can rest assured it will be captured in Phase Two,” he assured.
The President also provided an update on the ambitious Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, revealing that significant preparatory works were already underway.
According to him, the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces has been tasked with clearing the right of way for the project and has made substantial progress.
“We have started clearing the right of way, and we gave that contract to the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, who are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
He noted that more than 70 kilometres of the corridor had already been cleared, paving the way for contractors to begin the next phase of construction.
President Mahama added that compensation payments had commenced for individuals whose farms and properties would be affected by the project.
When completed, the expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi and improve connectivity to Bono Region and other parts of northern Ghana.
“This road will reduce the Accra-Kumasi travel distance from 270 kilometres to 198 kilometres. If you are travelling to Dormaa Ahenkro or Sunyani, that Kumasi stretch should not take more than two hours,” he stated.
The President also reiterated government’s commitment to constructing a regional airport in the Bono Region.
He revealed that procurement and tender processes for several regional airports, including the Bono Regional Airport at Nsoatre near Sunyani, were currently ongoing.
President Mahama recalled visiting the proposed airport site during a previous visit to the region and expressed optimism that construction would begin once the procurement process is completed.
“Currently, we are going through the tender and procurement processes. As soon as an award is given, the chosen contractor will mobilise to the site and begin construction,” he said.
“It is my hope that by the time my term of office comes to an end, I will come and land with an aeroplane there and pick you to Accra.”
Beyond transportation infrastructure, the President highlighted government investments in healthcare, education and sports development across the country.
He announced plans to construct new regional hospitals and sports stadia for the six regions created under the previous administration.
According to him, implementation would be staggered to ensure all six regions benefit from the projects.
“We are building new regional hospitals for the six new regions. We are also building new sports stadia for the six new regions,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which is expected to support the retooling of major hospitals nationwide.
On education, President Mahama reiterated his administration’s pledge to establish a medical school at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani.
He disclosed that an initial allocation of GH¢10 million had already been provided as seed funding to support feasibility studies and design work for the project.
“You can be sure that the medical school for UENR will come into being. We want to train as many health professionals as possible,” he assured.
Responding on behalf of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefuo Oseadeeyo Agyemang-Badu II commended the President for the numerous development projects being implemented across the region.
The Dormaahene particularly praised the road infrastructure programme and pledged his personal appreciation if the Accra-Kumasi Expressway is completed within President Mahama’s tenure.
In a light-hearted but symbolic gesture, he declared that he would walk from Dormaa Ahenkro to the Presidency in Accra to personally thank the President for delivering the transformative project.
The meeting ended with renewed assurances of collaboration between traditional authorities and government in advancing the development agenda of the Bono Region and the country as a whole.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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