Joshua Makabu addressing journalists
THE OTI Regional Minister, Joshua Makabu, has called on Ghanaians not to relent in investing in the region given the immense and untapped investment opportunities which could be explored in the area.
The Oti Region forms part of the six newly created regions out of the existing ten regions. The region, with its capital as Dambai, was carved out of the northern part of the Volta Region on February 19, 2019.
The MMDAs in the region are Kadjebi District, Jasikan District, Nkwanta North District, Nkwanta South Municipal, Krachi East Municipal, Krachi Nchumuru District, Biakoye District and Krachi West District.
Speaking at his turn at the Information Ministry’s ‘Meet the Press’ series yesterday in Accra, the minister said apart from the various social intervention programmes that have been undertaken in the region, government is still committed to increase infrastructural projects such as schools, health centres, administrative offices, and market centres to boost the economic development of the region.
He said “road networks are a key element of the economic growth of every country. Infrastructural development provides access to employment, social, health and education services. Roads open up more areas and stimulate social and economic development.”
The minister mentioned that a number of roads which are under construction and rehabilitation include Nkonya Wurupong, Kwamekrom, Hohoe- Jasikan, Abrewanko-Konkobaline and the construction of Jasikan-Dodo Pepeso road among others.
He also said Kete Krachi Buya road is been upgraded while Agou-Kabite and Aibi Koni are also undergoing routine maintenance.
According to him, implementation of educational policies such as the Free Senior High School policy has resulted in activities needed to improve the existing educational system in the region.
He said Free Senior High School (SHS) enrolment increased from 15,285 in 2016 to 25,483 in 2022, representing 66.72 percent, thereby bridging the accessibility gap at the SHS level, while buses and laptops have also been provided by the government to schools in the region to improve learning outcomes.
“Government has also increased schools benefiting from school feeding from 164 in 2016 to a total of 298 out of 585 basic schools in the region benefiting from the School Feeding Programme from 51,692 to a total of 103, 128 pupils,” he added.
The minister said, apart from infrastructural developments ongoing in various parts of the region, the youth especially were been provided with skills training for women and youth to equip them with skills to be able to generate employment for themselves and others in society.
He hinted that due to the huge natural resources that abound in the region, government is also working with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Company to provide value addition to some iron ore deposits in Biakoye, Guan, Jasikan and Kadjebi.
He stated, “Aside that, the Oti Regional Coordinating Council is also implementing a lot of government flagship programme such as 1 District 1 Factory, I District 1 Warehouse, Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development among others.
BY Ebenezer K. Amponsah