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Mr. Chairman,
Colleague Honourable Ministers
Honourable Deputy Ministers
Honourable Members of Parliament
Representatives of Development Partners present
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Niimei, Naamei
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives
Members of the Policy Fair Planning Committee
Friends from the Media
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I deem it a great pleasure and honour to address this important forum. Permit me to first express my appreciation on behalf of the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council to members of the Planning Committee for organizing yet another successful Policy Fair.
Mr. Chairman, Let me take this opportunity to commend my Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and indeed all who have participated in the fair and showcased what has been achieved so far under our "Better Ghana" Agenda over the past three years.
Our participation in this fair as a Region has not only offered our people the opportunity to express their views on Government policy initiatives but has also provided the platform for the citizens to know at first hand our
performance as a Region and as a Government and how our tax revenues are being utilized for the benefit of our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the fair no doubt demonstrates Government's commitment to ensuring positive engagement with the public and keeping them informed. The event in our Region has created a conducive environment for dialogue between policy makers and implementers as well as those affected by the policies in our Region. In this regard, I am happy to observe that the forum has brought together Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Heads of Department, Traditional Rulers, Public and Civil Servants, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Development partners and the public.
It is important at this juncture to state that the Greater Accra Region has had its fair share of the National Development projects. This is evident from the exhibition of projects by the Departments and Agencies, Metropolitan,
Municipal and District Assemblies. The development projects are manifestations of Government's Agenda to better the lot of the citizens of the Region.
Public participation and contribution during the various sessions have been fruitful. Indeed some useful suggestions and concerns raised would be factored into future policy and project implementation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, at this juncture permit me to highlight some of the projects undertaken by our Government from 2009 to date. They include projects covering all sectors of the economy i.e. Road infrastructure, Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Local Government.
It is significant to state that, since 2009 we initiated and started with 1,191 projects in the Greater Accra Region. I am happy to state that within the three year period, 558 of these projects have been completed and are in use
with 633 on-going.
Education
Education projects have exceeded any other sector projects. Education alone has taken about 60 percent of all projects under construction. Total number of projects - 357.
As part of Government's policy to eliminate schools under trees, the shift system, as well as ensure quality teaching and learning, the AMA has programmed itself to construct 48 classroom blocks.
I am happy to state that construction has commenced and three of the projects are complete, namely, Salvation, M1 and Ayalolo Cluster of Schools. It is expected that by the close of 2013 all the 48 projects would have been completed.
Roads & Highways
Similarly, successes have been recorded under the road sector.
Total number of projects undertaken are 410 Out of the above figure, 237 road projects have been completed while 173 are on-going.
Abandoned & Slow Road Projects I am happy to state that through the intervention of His Excellency the President, work has resumed and progressing steadily on some of the abandoned or slow road projects.
3 Water & Sanitation
The importance of Water cannot be over-emphasized. Water and Sanitation in the Greater Accra Region have seen remarkable improvements. It is significant to note that out of a total of 151 water and sanitation projects, 63
of the projects have been completed and 88 are on-going.
Over the years, the Greater Accra Region has suffered water shortages.
Happily remarkable achievements have been made in this area with the construction of boreholes in areas such as Adenta and Ga West Municipalities to mention just a few.
Health Sector
It is an undeniable fact that the Region's health status is relatively better compared to those in other Regions probably due to its location in the national capital. The health sector is of priority concern to our Government.
As part of our policy to expand access to health services in the Region, 21 key projects have been undertaken in the Health sector. To ease congestion, the OPD of the Ridge Hospital and Adabraka Polyclinic have been merged under one Administration to improve health care delivery.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the achievements in the Greater Accra Region did not come about by accident. Rather, it has come as result of well thought out policies and programmes.
Mr. Chairman, from what we have seen within the past one week, it can be said that this noble idea has not only helped to bring Governance closer to our people in the Region but has also created an enviable record of making
the citizens the rightful owners of our policies and projects.
Ladies and Gentlemen, from the statistics given above and the pictures exhibited, it is indicative that the tax payer's money has been properly utilized.
Mr. Chairman, we observed that past policies and programmes of previous Administrations which were not continued has held back national progress and development. Therefore, as a responsible Government, we resolved to
continue with projects largely (infrastructure) which were begun by the previous Government. It is important to place national interest first when it comes to Development.
WAY FORWARD
As a Region and as a Government we are more than ever determined to bring more development closer to our people. Consequently, we have
1. resolved to work harder than before
2. operate a transparent, open and accountable administration
3. collaborate/partner with the private sector so that more jobs and wealth can be created
4. dialogue more with our people in the decision making process
5. invest more in our people to provide quality standard of living On this note, I wish to state that our doors are opened for constructive suggestions on how we can make the Region better.
As a Government, we shall continue to deliver on our promises. We will ensure that the living conditions of our people are improved and Ghana's development is accelerated in a balanced and fair manner.
I thank you for your attention.
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