The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the Greater Accra Chiefs of governments continuous support to chieftaincy institutions so it can be strong and resilient.
Addressing the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, as part of his tour of the region, he stated that, his government will additionally strive to give to the institution the requisite support to resolve chieftaincy matters, and carry out research in the many areas of relevance to curb chieftaincy related conflicts.
He further indicated that, six new office complex and bungalows would be provided to the six newly constituted Regional Houses of Chiefs.
Addressing the House, he also indicated as part of his commitment, to establish a Committee early next year, to take a comprehensive look at the issue which has to do with the compulsory acquisition of lands by Government, its consequences and the possible restoration of lands to their allodial owners.
“The Committee will make appropriate recommendations for the decision of Government. With a few weeks to the holding of the elections, the setting up of this Committee this year may not be feasible.”
However, as a sign of his commitment to this, the President tasked the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to begin stakeholder consultations with the House, so an agreement can be reached on the composition of this Committee and its Terms of Reference.
President Akufo-Addo assured the House of the wholehearted efforts that are being made by Government to guarantee the peace and stability of the nation as the election approaches come December 7.
“Ghana has rightly earned a reputation as the pacesetter in democratic governance on the continent, a reputation I am determined to uphold, and, indeed, enhance prior to, during and after the 7th December elections.
“I would need, of course, your full collaboration and co-operation to help attain this end. We cannot afford a repetition of the deplorable events that took place recently at Odododiodio. We have all to work together to create the environment that will allow the Ghanaian people to make their decision on 7th December in freedom, peace and security. It is their right.”
Touching on developmental projects, he indicated that as part of governments Agenda 111, which seeks to build District Hospitals in Districts without hospitals, government in the course of the next twelve months will construct District Hospitals in the districts without them in the Greater Accra Region.
“They are Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma West, Accra Metropolitan, Ada West, Adentan, Ashaiman, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso West, Ga Central, Ga South, Korle Klottey, Krowor, La Nkwantanang Madina, Ningo Prampram and Tema West.”
The hospitals, he indicated, will have a 100-bed capacity, fully equipped, with appropriate accommodation for medical personnel.
Giving an account of the work undertaken by Government in the Greater Accra Region over the course of his tenure of office, President Akufo-Addo told the House that there are 847 projects being executed in the Region, with 423 completed, and the remaining 424 ongoing.
Out of the 423 completed projects, 87 are in the educational sector, 17 in the health sector, 173 in the roads sector, 74 in the water and sanitation sector, 25 in the industrial sector, and 10 market projects.