By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
President John Dramani Mahama has assured the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs of government’s commitment to equitable development and strategic investment in the region during a courtesy call at the Presidency.
Addressing the chiefs, President Mahama said his administration inherited a struggling economy that required urgent interventions to restore stability and confidence.
According to him, Ghana was operating under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme at the time, with several key performance targets unmet. However, through what he described as discipline, prudent economic management and sacrifice, government has succeeded in putting the economy back on track.
He noted that during the IMF review mission in April and May this year, Ghana successfully met all required targets, earning commendation from the IMF team for the country’s progress under the programme.
President Mahama stated that despite global economic pressures, including the effects of international conflicts, government has managed to reduce inflation significantly to 3.4 percent, while stabilising the cedi and reducing interest rates from about 32 percent to between 12 and 13 percent.
He said the improvements are beginning to bring relief to businesses, workers and ordinary Ghanaians.
The President described Bono East as one of Ghana’s most economically important regions, citing its major contribution to agriculture and food supply nationwide.
He praised the hardworking people of the region and highlighted Techiman’s strategic role as one of Ghana’s biggest commercial centres, with its market attracting traders from across the country and neighbouring nations.
President Mahama assured the chiefs that Bono East would receive its fair share of national development projects and infrastructure investment.
He disclosed that government had increased the proportion of the District Assemblies Common Fund reaching Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies from about 40 percent to at least 80 percent, enabling local authorities to undertake more development projects.
As part of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, President Mahama announced that Techiman would benefit from a modern 24-hour market project alongside an additional ultra-modern market.
He explained that six major modern markets are being constructed across the country in strategic commercial centres, including Techiman, Mankessim and Sunyani.
The President further announced that Atebubu would benefit from government’s Farmer Service Centres initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and agribusiness development.
On industrialisation, President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to establishing a cashew processing factory in Bono East, revealing that the project remains on course.
According to him, the factory will have the capacity to process 50,000 tonnes of cashew annually and create employment opportunities for many young people in the region.
Touching on infrastructure, President Mahama said several key roads in Bono East had been captured under Phase One of the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme.
The roads include the Techiman–Wenchi Road, Techiman–Sunyani Road, Jema Township Roads, Jema–Ampoma–Anyima Road, Amoma–Agyina Road, Bodom–Busunya Road, Bonomanso–Kranka Road and the Tanoboase Road.
He added that the Atebubu–Kwame Danso–Kadjebi Road would be included in Phase Two of the programme next year, while work is also progressing on the Techiman Outer Ring Road to ease congestion within the municipality.
In the health sector, the President announced plans to commence construction of regional hospitals for the remaining newly created regions, including Bono East, next year.
He further revealed that Bono East would also benefit from a new sports stadium project before work begins on the regional hospital.
On education, President Mahama disclosed that government is engaging the World Bank on a programme to upgrade selected Category B Senior High Schools to Category A status, while Category C schools would also be elevated to Category B.
He expressed optimism that schools in Bono East would benefit from the initiative.
President Mahama stressed that peace and security remain critical to national development, noting that crime on highways and within communities has reduced significantly due to enhanced security operations.
He said government has equipped the Police Service with bulletproof vehicles and other logistics to improve public safety and security across the country.
The President assured the chiefs that government had taken note of all concerns and requests presented during the meeting and pledged continued collaboration with traditional authorities to advance the development of the Bono East Region.
