The Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Makafui Woanya has asserted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is losing ground in the Volta Region and becoming unpopular.

This, he said, was due to the fact that the people of the region are increasingly recognizing the NPP as the best implementer of "political development and improvement", hence aligning with it.

He emphasized that this would translate to votes to increase the electoral fortune of the NPP in the upcoming December 7 general elections, while the NDC’s votes would plummet.

During a press briefing in Ho, Mr. Woanya provided updates on various development initiatives being carried out in the Volta Region under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led-government.

Health

They include completed works at the Ketu North Municipal Hospital in Weta, as well as improvements to facilities at Ho Teaching Hospital and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

“One major boost to health delivery in the Volta Region is the upgrading of the Volta Regional Hospital to a Tertiary or Teaching Hospital with commensurate equipment by this government.

Today patients needing common dialysis need not travel to Accra. It is interesting to note that, during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our regional hospital was one of a few facilities in Ghana so equipped to test for the virus”, he said.

He pointed out that, the government secured funding for the China Phase two expansion works at UHAS after meeting the requirements and ensuring the completion of Phase One.

He said that “the Nana Addo government's partnership with the Chinese Government in Phase 2 of UHAS resulted in a $60 million project that included the construction of the Central Administration Complex, the largest School of Nursing and Midwifery in West Africa, and a fully equipped, state of the art Simulation Centre. The project is expected to increase the University's student capacity by at least 2,500.”

Mr. Woanya listed the Afadzato South, Ho-West, South Dayi, Agortime-Ziope, Akatsi North and South, and Anloga as beneficiary districts of the Agenda 111 Project, adding that all constituencies have been furnished with an ambulance, while the region has witnessed an increase in medicinal supply due to the medical drone delivery system, introduced by Vice President Dr. Bawumia.

Roads

He highlighted the construction of roads in Hohoe and Ho townships, the Eastern Corridor Road, the Sokode-UHAS-Titrinu bypass road, and the Sokode-Ho dual carriageway, among other feeder roads across the region.

Additionally, he alleged that USSUYA Gh Ltd, a company owned by a former National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Treasurer, was overpaid for work on the Sokode-UHAS-Titrinu bypass road after winning a contract to undertake cutting and culverts works on the stretch.

“It is instructive to note that, the consultant to the project, Ghana Highway Authority reported that, while the value of work done was GHS 3,566,743.21, Ussuya was paid a whooping GHS 9,255,245.76 by the NDC government under former President Mahama.

The second phase which is the construction of the road, including UHAS internal roads was awarded to First Sky Construction Ltd by the Nana Akufo-Addo-led NPP government”, he said.

Education

He also mentioned the completion of E-block projects initiated by John Mahama and selected Senior High Schools benefiting from infrastructure expansion interventions under the Free Senior High School policy.

He further indicated that the government resumed works on the 4-storey Art and Design Block started under the Kufour government and saw no progress during the 8-year term of the Mills-Mahama NDC governments.

Railways

Mr. Woanya added that the Volta Region is a beneficiary of the revamped railways sector following the construction of the Tema - Mpakadam railways, and chastised the Mahama government for proposing to end the rail line at Akosombo.

“The original would have terminated at Akosombo. Is it not curious and unfortunate that the smooth take-off of the rail transportation should be sabotaged at Juapong in Okudzeto Ablakwa's constituency?”, he quizzed.

Youth and Sports

He outlined the construction of the youth resource center in Adaklu, an astroturf at Hohoe, privately initiated by Peter Amewu, as projects implemented to revamp sports in the region under the Akufo-Addo-led-government.

“It is interesting to note that, since the late Head of State, Gen. Acheampong expanded the old sports stadium, it took the previous NPP government to fix common seats in that facility”.

Energy

Mr. Woanyan said the government has ensured the extension of electricity to remote areas across the region and constructed the mini-hydro power plant at Alavanyo to increase the national grid in the region.

He said most streets across the region have been lit up under the street lighting agenda, leading to an increase in security.

Agriculture

He indicated that more than one thousand farmers are benefiting from the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project at Torgorme in the North Tongu Constituency, which is the third largest in the country after Tolo and Kpong Dams.

Due to the availability of water for irrigation, farmers in the catchment area are engaged in legumes, cereals, and vegetables on a commercial basis.

Mr. Woanya said that registered farmers continue to receive subsidized inputs and improved seedlings, such as cocoa, coffee, and coconut seedlings.

He disclosed that there has been support for farmers engaged in the production of cassava, cereal, rice, and other non-traditional crops, while some youths have gained employment under the Youth in Afforestation Programs.

Trade ad Industries

Mr. Woanyah clarified that the NPP has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining production at the Volta Star Textile Limited under the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo governments.

“On the industrial front, so much has happened in the Volta Region. Volta Star Textile Ltd which used to be Juapong Textile Limited was revamped under Kufuor but collapsed again under the Mahama-led NDC. Today, it has been recapitalized and is back on its feet giving jobs and livelihoods to thousands of people in Okudzeto Ablakwa's constituency.

Go and see the newly constructed market stores at the Ho Central Market, all in record time”, he stressed.

Works

He said the Keta Sea Defense Project is seeing progress under the Akufo-Addo government which has plans to begin work on the Keta Port Project trampled by the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

He said the pandemic stalled the processes, particularly foreign participation, hence delaying the commencement of work.

Mr. Woanya explained that the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer for the Port was to facilitate procurements and other processes leading to contract awarding and construction works.

“The issuance of an Executive Instrument declaring the Keta area as a port zone is laudable and an invitation to the global investment community. Feasibility studies were concluded and an advertisement for the expression of interest was published.

The Parliament of Ghana approved the budget for the construction of the office complex which is ongoing. So, it is disingenuous for the [Volta] Regional Chairman of the NDC to continue to accuse the NPP government of non-commitment. What is the moral right of the NDC anyway when they never conceived the idea?”, he quizzed.

Water

Mr. Woanyah said that the €85,113,854.00 Keta Water Supply and Rehabilitation Project to feed southern Volta started in 2021 is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024.

He added that Parliament has approved £11.5 million for the implementation of phase three of the 5-District Water Supply Scheme to serve Central Tongu, Adaklu, Ho West, Agotime-Ziope, and Akatsi North Districts.

Mr. Woanya emphasized that these projects show the government's dedication to the development of the country, particularly the Volta Region, in contrast to the NDC.

“With the above facts and demonstration of projects that the NPP has undertaken in the Volta Region as against the total neglect and abysmal performance of the NDC under Mahama when they had the opportunity to govern this country, how can anyone accuse the NPP government of abandoned projects and systematic neglect?

Times have changed and the people are now wide awake and would demand accountability from politicians and political parties rather than blind faith and religious allegiance”, he concluded.

The NPP is hoping to increase its voting pattern from 100,000 to 300,000 votes in the December 7th general elections.