On the final day of his four-day tour of the Volta Region, Former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), engaged the media in an extensive interaction, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the tour and addressing several key issues related to the region’s development and national policies.
The National Democratic Congress flagbearer began by extending his heartfelt appreciation to the media for their unwavering support in covering and amplifying the activities of his tour.
He specifically acknowledged the efforts of the media personnel from Accra, who have been with him since the launch of the party’s Manifesto in Tamale, through to the Upper East Region, and now the Volta Region.
“Salamat and all your colleagues. I want to say thank you very much. I want to thank our executives who organized this tour and also our parliamentary candidates they have been the main organizers of this successful visit and so I want to express our appreciation to them I want to thank our supporters who came out in their numbers, our sympathizers and even those who are not party members, floating voters, everybody came out to receive us and welcome us, so we say thank you”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Flagbearer
Former President Mahama also expressed his appreciation to the chiefs, noting their significant participation in community engagements and warmly welcoming him in their palaces.
Addressing Reports of Snubbing Chiefs
Responding to reports that he had snubbed some chiefs during the tour, particularly in the Ketu North Constituency, former President Mahama clarified the situation, stating that there was no intentional disregard for any traditional authority.
“I heard about snubbing some chiefs in some areas but no we didn’t snub any chiefs. In Ehi in the Ketu North Constituency, we were supposed to have a community engagement, and there was nothing on the schedule that showed that we were supposed to visit some chiefs.
“Somebody must have communicated that to the chiefs but everywhere we went, the regional chairman was ahead. And if you knew that we are supposed to call on the chiefs, he would have taken us to the chiefs. So somebody must have communicated to them”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Flagbearer
Former President John Dramani Mahama, however, apologized for any inconvenience caused and reassured the chiefs that any oversight was unintentional.
Highlighting Infrastructure Deficits and Economic Potential
Reflecting on the tour, former President John Dramani Mahama expressed satisfaction with the work the NDC had done in the past, particularly in electrifying communities and expanding water supply in the Volta Region.
He highlighted the Kpando water project, which he commissioned before leaving office, as a significant achievement that added 6 million litres of water to the township.
He also lamented the lack of progress in distributing water from the Adidome water system, which was designed to serve five constituencies but remains incomplete due to a lack of vigorous pursuit by the current government.
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer stressed the need for continued investment in the region’s infrastructure and economic potential.
He outlined his vision for creating an “Economic Corridor” between the Volta and Oti regions, which he believes could significantly boost agriculture and trade.
“I think that we must make a definite effort to invest in the economic potential of the Volta region. I’ve been talking about an economic corridor and I call it the Volta-Oti Economic Corridor. We all know that the Volta region and Oti border, our neighbour Togo and there is a lot of cross-border trade and so looking at putting facilities to support farmers in order that they can produce more.
“There’s potential for expanding cassava production; there’s potential for expanding rice production; and there’s potential for expanding cocoa production, especially in the northern Volta and Oti regions, and there’s a potential for expanding ginger production as well”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Flagbearer
Former President Mahama also proposed the construction of a modern market in Aflao to rival the popular market in Lome, Togo, and the upgrading of markets in Akatsi, Dzodze, Hohoe, and Jasikan to stimulate trade along the corridor.
He emphasized the need to complete key road projects, including the Aflao-Ho and Jasikan-Hohoe roads, which he described as vital for facilitating economic activities in the region.
Additionally, former President John Dramani Mahama assured the people of the Volta Region that his next administration will resume work to develop the University of Health and Allied Sciences satellite campus in Hohoe.
He criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party for failing to continue the work the NDC’s administration had commenced while in office to offer an additional campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences for the people of Hohoe, underscoring his commitment to see the project to fruition when elected as President.
Clarifying the “No-Fee Stress Policy
Addressing concerns over his proposed “No-Fee Stress Policy” for first-year tertiary students, former President Mahama clarified that the policy is aimed at easing the financial burden on students transitioning from the Free SHS program to tertiary education.
“We want every student who gains admission to a tertiary institution to be able to take up their place, regardless of their financial situation,” he said.
Former President Mahama explained that the policy would be implemented through the Student Loan Trust Fund, which would pay the academic fees as a grant on behalf of first-year students.
He assured university administrators and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) that the policy would not affect the subventions or internally generated funds (IGFs) of the institutions.
“Indeed for tertiary institutions, we are going to increase the subvention to tertiary institutions but we are going to budget for this, we estimate that it will cost between 2,70,290,000,000. We believe that we should be able to do that by resizing and rebalancing the budget to be able to find the resources for it.
“And it will be administered by the student loan trust. And so the money will be paid to the student loan trust and the student loan trust will pay that money to the universities on behalf of the students who have been admitted. But it will be a grant, it won’t be a loan”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Flagbearer
Former President Mahama concluded by reaffirming his commitment to addressing the challenges facing the Volta Region and the country as a whole.
“There’s much to be done, but I believe that with the right focus and investment, we can unlock the potential of the Volta Region and improve the lives of its people,” he stated.
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