The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, says the country will soon witness massive road construction works under the government’s ‘Big Push’ agenda.
According to him, some $13 billion has been earmarked for the construction of various road projects across the country, adding that by the end of this month, Ghanaians will see for themselves road construction works all over.
He further explained that money for all road projects under the ‘Big Push’ is ready and available and that within two weeks of submission of certificate, a contractor will be paid.
The minister said this when he paid a visit to the Sunyani Technical University (STU) last Tuesday.
The Minister, who is an alumnus of STU, was also a lecturer in the University until his current appointment.
Mr. Addae Akwaboah stated further that Sunyani and other parts of the Bono region are major beneficiaries of road construction under ‘Big Push.’
He also explained that apart from the ‘Big Push’, there will also be other road construction projects under the Road Fund and Government of Ghana (GoG) funding arrangements.
He mentioned Berekum – Seikwa, Wenchi – Sampa and the Odomase – Badu roads as some of the major highways that will soon be constructed.
In addition, work will soon begin on the Alaska Junction – Catholic University stretch of the Sunyani outer city road network while the 34-kilometer Jinijini – Sampa road will also be tarred.
Profound gratitude
Mr. Addae Akwaboah expressed his profound gratitude to the University for the opportunities offered him both as a student and later as a lecturer and said he intends to leave a legacy on STU campus and that he would later hold a closed-door meeting with the Vice-Chancellor on his signature projects for the institution.
According to him, he has been engaging various sector ministers and some heads of departments and agencies in a bid to undertake some development projects for the University.
Welcoming the minister and his entourage, the Vice-Chancellor, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah commended the government for releasing Gh.c 72 million towards the completion of the University’s Science Park project, which was abandoned in the last couple of years.
When completed, it will provide additional laboratories for the engineering faculty, more lecture theaters and auditoriums, among others.
The Vice-Chancellor used the opportunity to enumerate some of the challenges militating against the smooth running of the University.
Among them, he said, are inadequate classrooms and hostel facilities and the poor road network on the main campus, especially the water-loo road.
He also announced plans by the University to construct a 400-bed capacity hostel for students.
The Registrar, Mr. Samuel Ankama Obour, echoed the need to construct the waterloo road and further expressed grave concern about the level of encroachment on the University’s land.
Bono Regional Police Commander’s visit
In a related development, the Bono Regional Police Commander, DCOP Yao D Tettegah, has paid a courtesy call on the Management of Sunyani Technical University (STU). This followed a similar visit to him almost two months ago by the Vice Chancellor of STU.
DCOP Tettegah, was accompanied by his deputy, ACP George A. Akumah; ACP Dela Dzansi, the Sunyani Divisional Police Commander; ASP George O. Boadu, Staff Officer; ASP Peter Okantey, Operations; ASP Prince Dogbatse, in-charge of Regional Police Intelligence Unit; Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer and Constable Benedicta Gyabaa of the PR office.
Discussions centred on the need to enhance security on campus, strengthening collaboration between the Police and the University’s internal security outfit and the provision of security tips to students periodically, especially during student orientation sessions, among others.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah expressed satisfaction about the cordial working relations that has existed between the University and the Police over the years and stressed the need to strengthen this partnership.
He mentioned the establishment of the Police Post on the University’s main campus as one of the fruits of this collaboration, adding that plans are underway to upgrade the Police Post to a Police Station in the long term.
Ing. Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah appealed for regular police patrol on campus to deter anyone with bad intentions from carrying out any unlawful activity and further called for additional permanent police personnel to man the Police Post.
DCOP Yao D Tettegah, for his part, pledge to work closely with the University’s management to ensure that everyone can go about their normal duties on campus safely.
Story by Richard Kofi Boahen
