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politics

President John Mahama Outlines Major Infrastructure Drive During Two-Day Upper East Working Tour

13th August•3 min read•13 sources
President John Dramani Mahama
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  2. /Politics
  3. /President John Mahama Outlines Major Infrastructure Drive During Two-Day Upper East Working Tour

President John Dramani Mahama has embarked on a pivotal two-day working tour of the Upper East Region, marking the seventh stop of his "Resetting Ghana Tour." During his visit, the President inspected several high-priority infrastructure projects, most notably the proposed Upper East Regional Airport at Sumbrungu-Kulbia. This tour underscores the administration's commitment to regional development, with President Mahama emphasizing that his agenda aims to bridge the infrastructure gap and enhance economic connectivity between the northern and southern sectors of the country. This visit follows a series of regional engagements, including past commendations for the "Big Push" electrification and infrastructure initiatives in the Central and Volta regions.

A central focus of the tour is the Bolgatanga Airport, which the President announced is currently in the procurement stage, with construction slated to begin before the end of 2026. The facility, which will occupy 4,000 acres and feature a 2.2-kilometre runway, is designed to handle 100,000 passengers annually and provide direct air connectivity to Accra. President Mahama described the airport as a "game-changer" that will eliminate the need for lengthy road travel to Tamale, thereby boosting local businesses and mining operations. Contractors have expressed optimism that the project, originally planned for a 24-month duration, could be completed ahead of schedule.

In a significant move toward governance continuity, President Mahama pledged that his administration will not abandon the "Agenda 111" hospital projects initiated by the previous NPP government. He announced that 35 of these hospitals, which are currently approximately 70% complete, have been allocated specific funding to ensure completion by the end of 2025. An additional 20 hospitals are prioritized for 2027, with the President emphasizing a focus on districts that currently lack any modern healthcare facilities. While in the region, the President also commissioned a new E-Block school project in Paga and addressed local concerns regarding the Navio Bridge and potable water access.

Furthermore, the President reviewed progress on the 34.23-kilometre Navrongo-Chuchuliga-Tumu road corridor, a critical link between the Upper East and Upper West regions. He announced that the second and third phases of the Big Push infrastructure programme are being prepared to include additional roads, aiming for total regional connectivity by 2028. By prioritizing the completion of inherited projects alongside new infrastructure, the Mahama administration seeks to ensure that no community is left behind in the national development agenda. This strategic focus on transport, health, and education infrastructure is expected to form the cornerstone of the government's economic revitalisation efforts over the next three years.

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