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Government to remove squatters to make way for Accra-Tema motorway expansion
Chairman of the Transport Committee in Parliament, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has indicated the government’s resolve to remove squatters and residents along the Tema motorway to make way for the road’s planned expansion.
Government has announced its intention to expand the motorway into a 10-lane thoroughfare with eight flyovers for $380 million. Construction is expected to be completed in 36 months.
According to Mr. Nyarko, currently the land meant for the expansion has been encroached upon by illegal squatters and parts of it have also been legally given away to private individuals by the local assemblies along the stretch.
Speaking on Joy FM’s The Super Morning Show, the Akim Swedru MP, aid ample notice has been given to those in the vicinity, thus work on removing them from the area will commence earnestly.
He, however, stated that those who had acquired land in the area legally through local assembly allocations will be compensated.
“You remember some time ago, the minister for roads and highways and I went on some tour around the motorway to engage those people there and advise them to relocate because there will soon be critical work on it [the motorway]. It generated a lot of heat; it came on television and whatnot.
“I mean so already they were notified, those people, the illegal occupants on that stretch were already informed about the intended project the ministry wants to embark on and the advice to relocate. So those people who are occupying those places illegally, I’m not sure they have any legal right of stay on that property. The original owner of that property has come to use it for a project so they have to vacate,” he said.
He added that “People who maybe the assembly may have legally allocated some land to people and they have developed on it, then certainly government has to pay compensation to those people for them to relocate.
“I think it’s part of the arrangement the ministry through GIIF and the contractor would have to look at it to make sure that those who are legally living there may be as a result of the assembly allocating some land to them and putting up their property on it and definitely their property is going to be affected, then it is incumbent on the initiate to find compensation for them.
“But those occupying there illegally I don’t think they deserve any compensation.”
Source: Myjoyonline.com
The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, has announced that the government will soon launch a Free Primary Health Care Programme aimed at improving access to healthcare across the country.
She said the initiative, which will be launched by her husband, John Dramani Mahama, will provide free primary healthcare services at facilities such as the Anyima Health Centre.
Mrs. Mahama made the announcement during the commissioning of the newly renovated Anyima Health Centre in Anyima, Brong Ahafo region.
According to her, the programme is expected to increase the use of health services, support early detection of diseases, reduce healthcare costs for families and improve the overall health and productivity of citizens.
“My husband, President John Dramani Mahama, will soon launch the Free Primary Health Care Programme, which will provide free care at facilities like the Anyima Health Centre,” she said.
Handing over the facility to the community, the First Lady urged health workers who will serve at the centre to treat patients with dignity and compassion.
She encouraged them to work towards ensuring zero maternal mortality and zero infant mortality at the facility.
Mrs. Mahama further called on residents of Anyima to take full ownership of the health centre by keeping it in good condition and making good use of its services.
She appealed to traditional leaders in the area to help protect the facility so that it can continue to serve the health needs of the community for many years.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
