
Seth Kwame Acheampong, Eastern Regional Minister

The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has observed that no government has embarked on massive infrastructural development, particularly in the roads sector, in his region than President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
He said the region had benefitted massively from the government’s ‘Year of Roads’ agenda, announcing that “1,487 km of roads have been completed, and 5,404 km awarded for construction”.
Addressing journalists during the Ministers’ Press Briefing yesterday in Accra, the Regional Minister said the massive asphaltic overlays, rehabilitation and partial reconstruction works ongoing in his region demonstrate government’s commitment to improving the road network in the region
“On roads, we have a total road network of 7,147 kilometers. So far, out of this total road network, we have awarded for construction a length of 5,404 km, and we have fully completed a 1,487 km. This comprises the three agencies under the road sector,” he disclosed.
Roads
He outlined the current stages of road works under the urban and feeder roads sector as well as the Ghana Highway Authority.
“Urban roads, we have seen some rehabilitation works, and we have achieved 101 kilometres of roads under the road fund… Asphaltic overlay, over 100 kilometres under the Road Fund, and we have maintained five kilometres under COCOBOD, totaling 206 out of a planned length of 941 kilometres.
“It is worthy to note that when we took office in 2017, the region had a kilometre length of urban roads at 145 kilometres. So looking at what we have added since 2017, we have gained 142% of increment in respect of urban roads infrastructure. We have done some asphaltic overlays as well in most of our municipalities…,” he added
The Regional Minister further explained that this significant upgrade in road infrastructure under the current administration surpasses the kilometers of roads constructed in the region under the erstwhile John Mahama administration.
“These roads networks include the Mangoase -Kukua -Akorabo- Amanhyia roads, Kwahu Tafo- Ankoma-Miaso roads, Nkatekwan Junction-Obuotumpan roads, Nkawkaw –Domeabra- Buaben road, Suhum -Nankese road, Ayirebi-Asabidia road, Akropong-Larbikrom road, among several other road projects,” he mentioned.
Education
Touching on education, the Regional Minister said the region had been at the receiving end of significant investment in education by government.
Commending the government for the developmental projects, he described the President’s vision of providing educational infrastructure as “tremendous and unprecedented”.
“The region has witnessed massive improvement in educational infrastructure. These include the state-of-the-art STEM school at Abomosu [Atiwa West], the TVET Centre at Akyem Anyinam, the Vocational Institute at Kitase- Akuapem and the Phase I of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development,” he said.
The rest, he mentioned, are “2 storey and 12-unit classroom block at Abuakwa State College in Kyebi, a 12-unit classroom block at Manya Krobo SHS, 2-storey boys’ dormitory block for Akroso SHS, a 15-unit classroom block at Okuapeman SHS, a 14-unit classroom block at Bepong SHS among others”.
Health
On health, Mr Kwame Acheampong said various development projects in the health sector in the region were commenced, and progressing steadily, while others have been completed.
“These include the renovation of the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, completion of the Aburi Hospital, construction of the Eastern Regional Hospital, the completion of the Somanya District Hospital, modernization of the Kibi District Hospital, construction of the 40-bed Maternity Hospital at Enyiresi,” he cited.
These health infrastructure, he indicated, are in line with government’s vision to create and expand access to health service, and enhance the quality of health service delivery in the region.