The first tranche of $40 million secured from Brazil for commencement of work on the Nkwanta-Oti-Damanko portion of the Eastern Corridor road project, has been approved by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

President John Mahama, who announced this in Accra yesterday during a courtesy call on him by a delegation from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, therefore, assuaged the fears of the chiefs, and assured the project would be completed on schedule.

The delegation, led by Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and president of the Regional House of Chiefs, were at the Castle to express their condolences to the government and congratulate President Mahama on his elevation to the high office of President of Ghana.

The Eastern Corridor road project, stretching from Tema through Asikuma, Hohoe, Jasikan, Yendi and Nakpanduri to Kulungugu, serves as the main link between the Southern and the Northern parts of the country and between Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Major components of the project are the construction of a two-lane carriageway, the provision of drainage structures, mainly culverts and u-drains, the provision of lay-bys in specific towns and villages and repairs of bridges.

President Mahama noted that when completed in December 2014, the project would transform the Volta Region into an economic and trade hub, besides opening it up for accelerated development.

He assured the chiefs that he would ensure that all projects started by the late President John Evans Atta Mills in the region would be completed; singling out the much-anticipated regional university.

President Mahama pledged to ensure that it becomes a fully-fledged university.

Mr Mahama said the late President had left a huge vacuum and counted on the support and wise counsel of the chiefs, as and when necessary.

On his part, Togbe Afede eulogized the late President, saying, “Our President was very well-known, respected and loved for his honesty, modesty, integrity, among other traits a leader should have.

His achievements, he said, are well-known and well documented. “He soldiered on, even when his health did not permit him,” and assured the new President of the support of the chiefs as he prosecutes the national development agenda.

Also at the Castle to console President Mahama was a delegation from the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs led by Ohotwasuo Oworae Agyekum III, Vice-president of the House and Bosomemanhene.

Welcoming them, President Mahama under-scored the commitment of the government to make chiefs an integral part of decentralization.

He said the idea of integrating traditional authorities in the process of local governance is to enable the government to tap into their rich expertise and wisdom for development at the local level.

Describing the loss of the late President as a loss to the chiefs of the region too, he said they would be duly informed of activities for the state funeral and hoped that they would have a strong representation between August 8-10.

Okotwasuo Agyekum on his part, expressed the grief and sadness of the chiefs for the sudden demise of the late statesman, describing it as a shock to Nananom. He prayed for God’s guidance and wisdom to enable President Mahama steer the nation’s affairs.

Next to call on the President was a delegation from the Central Regional House of Chiefs led by Daasebre Ewusi Kwebu VII, the president, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Abeadze Traditional Area.

In a tribute, he said the region and the nation as a whole have lost an illustrious son.

He said the good deeds he left behind, namely the “Better Ghana” agenda, were remarkable and urged his predecessor to continue the good works.

Responding, President Mahama said even though the nation was mourning a true statesman, it should be able to also celebrate his life. He hoped the chiefs would lend their support in the quest to give the late leader a befitting funeral.

When it got to the turn of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, led by Nene Abram Akuaku Kabu III, president and Chief of Ada, President Mahama lauded them for the untiring efforts they are making to halt the chieftaincy disputes in the region.

Expressing the government’s willingness to support them in that regard, he also pledged to assist them to streamline the vexed issue about land sale and its associated matters. He said the region, as the capital of the country, deserved better.

He, therefore, assured the chiefs that he would work closely with them and the regional administration to uplift Accra to befit a true capital.

On his part, Nene Kabu expressed the condolences of the chiefs to the government for the loss and promised to lend their support to give the late President a befitting funeral. They also wished the new leader well.

Next to call was a delegation from the Western Regional House of Chiefs led by Awulea Attibrukusu III, president, who is also the Omanhene of Lower Axim traditional area.

Welcoming the delegation, President Mahama thanked them for coming to commiserate with the government. He said the Western Region is strategic in the quest to industrialise the country.

He solicited the support of the chiefs, noting that the oil find and its accompanying petro-chemical industry held immense prospects for Ghana.

Awulea Attibrukusu, expressed the hope that the government would continue with its development projects in the region and pledged the support of the chiefs in that direction.

Lauding the leadership qualities of the late President Mills, he prayed that God would grant the late leader a peaceful rest.

Source: The Ghanaian Times

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