UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Sadat Dabo
The Upper East Regional Communications Directorate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticized the exclusion of the Upper East Region from the US$500 million World Bank International Development Association (IDA) Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project (GMACP), describing the decision as unfair and inconsistent with the project’s objectives
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, and signed by the Upper East Regional Communications Director, Ayinbisah Ayamga Peter, the Directorate expressed concern over the omission of the region from the list of beneficiaries despite its significant contribution to Ghana’s agricultural sector
The statement follows the request by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for parliamentary approval under Article 181 of the 1992 Constitution for the World Bank-funded facility, which is intended to rehabilitate about 1,050 kilometres of climate-resilient feeder roads to improve farm-to-market access, reduce post-harvest losses, lower transportation costs, increase rural incomes, and create jobs
According to the NPP, the project will benefit the Upper West, Northern, Savannah, Oti, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Western North, Western, Central, and Ahafo Regions, while the Upper East, North East, and Greater Accra Regions have been left out
The Directorate argued that the exclusion of the Upper East Region is difficult to justify, given its status as one of Ghana’s major food-producing regions. It highlighted the poor condition of feeder roads in farming communities across the Builsa South, Bongo, Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Binduri, Garu, and Pusiga areas, where farmers produce rice, maize, onions, tomatoes, pepper, millet, sorghum, and other crops
According to the statement, inadequate road infrastructure continues to hinder the transportation of farm produce, particularly during the rainy season, leading to high transport costs, post-harvest losses, reduced farm-gate prices, and lower incomes for farmers
The Regional Communications Directorate questioned the criteria used in selecting the beneficiary regions and called on the Upper East Caucus in Parliament to explain the efforts made to secure the region’s inclusion in the project
It also appealed to the Upper East Regional Minister, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), traditional authorities, civil society organizations, the media, youth groups, and all stakeholders to unite in advocating for the inclusion of the region
The statement emphasized that the development of the Upper East Region should transcend partisan politics and urged both the Government of Ghana and the World Bank to review the beneficiary list before implementation begins
“The Upper East Region has contributed immensely to Ghana’s agricultural economy for decades. Our farmers deserve fairness, and our communities deserve equal access to national development opportunities,” the statement concluded
Source – gbcuraonline.com
