Update of development projects under SIF in Western Region

Suiano (W/R), June 6, GNA - About 17.5 billion cedis is being spent on more than 100 development projects earmarked for the Western Region through the Social Investment Fund (SIF) of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programme (GPRP).

The projects, which are at their various stages of implementation, include water and sanitation, health, classroom blocks and accommodation for teachers and nurses.

Mrs Elizabeth Abena Nkrumah, Western Regional Officer of the SIF said the project had also trained many women in income generation activities such as soap making, palm oil and gari processing, farming and fishing.

She was speaking at the inauguration of a block of six classrooms funded from the SIF for the Suiano Primary School in the Juabeso-Bia District on Wednesday.

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Regional Minister inaugurated the block during a three-day tour of the district during which he inspected development projects including roads, sanitation, health, schools and housing.

The Regional Minister also inaugurated six Area Council Offices, which were among some 107 projects completed by the district assembly and its development partners within the past three years at a total cost of about 51 billion cedis.

Mrs Nkrumah said 24 projects estimated to cost 2.8 billion cedis had been approved for the Juabeso-Bia district and that 2.2 billion cedis had been spent on them so far.

In addition, 90 million cedis had been approved as micro-loans for groups in the district to reduce poverty among the people.

Mrs Nkrumah urged stakeholders to rise up to the challenges to make poverty reduction and wealth creation programmes succeed. Mr Aidoo urged community leaders in the area to rekindle the communal spirit among the people and advised them to initiate development projects to enhance their lots.