By: Razak Baba
President Akufo-Addo on arrival in Kumasi joined the Saint Cyprians Anglican Cathedral congregation in worship to begin his five-day tour of the Ashanti Region.
The church was electrified by the presence of the President and his entourage including Ministers of State amid praises and worship.
His visit coincided with the ordination and induction into office of three new Ministers of the Anglican Church, Ghana.
In her Sermon, the Bishop of Warrington in Liverpool, England. Right Rev. Beverly Mason commended Ghanaians for their peaceful co-existence with a sense of unity towards a common goal.
She, however, admonished Ghanaians particularly, Christians to live exemplary life full of Christ-like character.
Right Reverend Mason tasked Ghanaians to support others, especially family members, to attain their highest potential.
She asked for God’s blessings and protection for President Akufo Addo and his team as he is confronted by many challenges in recent times.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo was full of gratitude to the Church for their prayers in these difficult times.
He asked the Church to always pray for him and his appointees for ”wisdom and strength to develop Ghana”.
After the Church service, the President and his entourage moved to Manhyia Palace to pay a courtesy call on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu to officially inform the King about the five-day working visit in the Region meant to inspect ongoing projects, inaugurate completed ones and to start new development projects including sod cutting ceremony for the commencement of the Suame interchange.
The President’s itinerary in the region includes inspection of the new Maternal and Child Block being constructed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The President, a few years ago cut the sod for the reconstruction of the 44-year-old Maternity and Child Block in May 2020, which is being funded by the Deutsche Bank of Germany.
The old maternity block was started by the former Head of State, General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, in 1976, but was abandoned after his overthrow for lack of funding.
The structure had gone through various enhancements over the years but could not be completed.
President Akufo Addo and his entourage are also expected to inspect progress of work at Boankra Inland Port Project in the Ejisu Municipality.
The construction which began in 2021 is under a public-private partnership arrangement on a Build-Operate and Transfer model.
The team would then continue to commission the Newly built 60-bed government hospital at Konongo in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality.
They would also inspect the second phase of Kejetia Central Market which is expected to be completed in 2024.
The team would also move to expect Obuasi Trauma and Accident hospital.
The others include the Anwiankwanta- Obuasi and Santasi- Apire Road projects. Oforikrom, Nsuta and Trede agenda 111 as well as a sod-cutting ceremony for work to begin on the Suame interchange.