The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has commended the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) for what he described as the prudent and effective utilisation of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
The commendation follows the implementation of 19 development projects initiated by the Assembly last year, some of which have been completed and commissioned, while others are at various stages of completion under the leadership of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Faustilove Appiah Kannin.
Dr Amoakohene attributed the Assembly’s performance to the government’s new formula for the disbursement of the Common Fund, under which 80 per cent of the allocation is transferred directly to the Assemblies to execute projects.
“This formula is producing the expected results because it empowers the Assemblies to take direct control of their development projects,” the Minister stated.
Addressing Assembly staff, members of the media, and party supporters at the OMA Conference Hall, he reiterated the government’s commitment to completing all projects initiated within its four-year mandate.
According to him, the government remains determined to ensure that every project started under the current administration is completed before the end of its tenure. He further disclosed that 20 per cent of the Common Fund has been earmarked for the continuation and completion of inherited projects.
Touching on healthcare delivery, Dr Amoakohene announced that two Agenda 111 hospital projects in the Ashanti Region are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
He further revealed that every district in the region is expected to construct at least one health centre annually to improve access to healthcare services.
The Minister also disclosed that the government is strengthening tertiary healthcare in the region through the operationalisation of three major facilities — the Afari Military Hospital, the KNUST Teaching Hospital, and the Sewua Hospital — to complement the services of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
On the stalled Obuasi Trauma Hospital project, he assured residents that government would give the project the necessary attention to ensure its completion.
Speaking on infrastructure development, the Regional Minister stated that the government remains committed to completing the Santasi–Anhwiankwanta road project.
He added that each district across the country is expected to benefit from at least 10 kilometres of road construction under the government’s road improvement agenda.
According to him, the government has also established a special fund from the Minerals Development Fund to support road construction and rehabilitation in mining communities.
To improve District roads, Dr Amoakohene noted that additional equipment has been added to the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), referred to as the “Big Push” equipment, to enhance road maintenance and construction efforts by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
On education, the Minister announced that the government plans to phase out the double-track system by the beginning of the next academic year. He expressed optimism that the move would bring relief to both parents and students while improving effective teaching and learning in Senior High Schools.
Addressing concerns about electricity challenges, Dr Amoakohene outlined measures the government is implementing to improve power supply, including replacing faulty transformers and ageing transmission cables.
In her remarks, the Obuasi MCE, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, thanked the Regional Minister for the visit and highlighted several development projects undertaken by her administration over the past year.
She also commended the government for its various interventions and continued support for the Municipality’s development agenda.
As part of the visit, the Regional Minister and his entourage paid a courtesy call on the Dompoasehene Okofo Kwabena Bonsu and inspected ongoing projects within the Municipality, including the Kunka road project.
The Regional Minister was accompanied by the Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Michael Owusu Amoako Esq. The newly formed OMA choir thrilled the gathering with some spectacular performances.
Ernest Kofi Offen, ISD
Obuasi
