By: Justice Appiah
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong has indicated that since 2017, the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has embarked on the path of transformation, implementing policies and projects aimed at improving lives of Ghanaians.
According to him, the current administration has worked tirelessly to make positive impact in the areas of infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery and economic empowerment.
Speaking at a regional town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua, the Minister said the Eastern Region which has the second largest number of districts in the country has not been left out.
Mr. Acheampong indicated that several interventions have been undertaken across the major sectors namely; economic, social, environment and governance.
Briefing residents of the region and the public on government policies, programmes and projects undertaken in the region, he said in the area of education Senior High School enrolment increased from 127,095 to 196,314 between 2016/2017 and 2023/2024 academic years representing an increase of 54.46%, adding that 404 educational infrastructure has been provided from 2017 to date for Basic to Senior High Schools.
The Eastern Regional Minister further stressed a new state-of-Art science, technology, and mathematics (Stem) Senior High School has been established at Abomosu in the Atiwa West district.
He added that a new TVET centre of excellence has been established at Anyinam in the Atiwa East district with other infrastructural projects provided to give facelift to the University of Environment and Sustainable Development and other colleges of Education in the region.
Touching on the health sector, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong indicated that several infrastructural projects have been provided including an ongoing new regional hospital in Koforidua.
He said five new 40-bed capacity hospitals at Achiase, Adukrom, Jumapo, Kwabeng, and Nkwatia are at various stages of completion.
Mr. Acheampong further stressed that eight new district hospitals under government’s agenda 111 project at Apeguso, Adeiso, Akyem Swedru, Abomosu, Nsuapemso, Tease, Ofoase and Akyem Asuboa are at various stages of completion.
He added that a 100-bed capacity trauma at Anyinam with about 159 primary health care facilities such as CHP Compounds and health centres have been provided across various locations in the Eastern Region.
Under the road sector, the Eastern Regional Minister disclosed that the region has a total road network of 7,147.79 kilometers with 5, 555.79 awarded on contract, stressing that 1,859.62 kilometers have been completed.
He said under the urban road department, there is 1,350 kilometres of road with 529.70 awarded on contract, completing 329.00 kilometres.
On feeder roads, he added that the region can boast of a 4,247.79 kilometres with over 3000 kilometres awarded. Mr. Acheampong said more than 700 kilometres have been completed under feeder roads.
However, highway roads have also seen some improvements in the region with 866.35 out of 1,550 awarded on contract with 595.24 completed.
The minister indicated that government through the district assembly common fund is constructing 13 district courts, 17 police stations, 15 district administration blocks, and 2 fire service station across the region.