Ghanaians would retain NDC in power - Vice President

John Mahama

Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Friday gave the assurance that Ghanaians would in December this year retain the NDC government in power due mainly to the numerous development projects executed in its first four years.

He said the elimination of schools under trees, provision of school uniform and exercise books to school children and the expansion of the school feeding programmes were some of the interventions that would help retain the government in power.

Vice President Mahama gave this assurance when he cut the sod for commencement of work on the $170 million dollar- Sawla-Fulfulso road at Larabagna, in the Gonja West District of the Northern region.

The project, which is being sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and executed by the China International Water and Electric Corporation, is expected to be completed within three years.

Apart from the road project, the contractors would also build and rehabilitate schools, health centres, lorry parks and markets in communities along the road.

Vice president Mahama said although previous administrations had cut sods for construction, their efforts did not yield any dividends and gave the assurance that government would not renege on its promise to provide accessible roads throughout the country.

He appealed to beneficiary communities to cooperate with the contractors to ensure that the project was executed professionally to benefit future generations.

The Vice President promised that work would soon begin on the Tamale- Makango road and the Wa-Tumu-Navrongo- Bolgatanga road, to make those areas accessible and business friendly.

Vice President Mahama appealed to the Ministry to build up safety measures that would reduce the high spate of road accidents in the country.

Mr Joe Gididu, Minister of Roads and Highways said the tarring of the Sawla-Fufulso road would not only facilitate movement in that area, but would also enhance its tourist potentials.

He said the road would also help in the carting of foodstuffs from the rural areas to marketing centres, since the area produced 45 percent of the entire food needs of the Northern region.

Madam Marie Laurie Akin-Olugbade, Country Representative of the AfDB said so far her outfit had contributed $240 million towards the implementation of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority under the Northern Region Growth programme.

She said her outfit was also contributing tremendously towards the construction of about 600 kilometres of feeder roads and warehouses.