President John Dramani Mahama has assured the people of the Bono Region that his administration is committed to delivering inclusive and accountable governance that restores faith and delivers real development to every household.
Speaking during his “Thank You” tour of the region, the President said his government is determined to revive stalled infrastructure projects, create jobs through industrialization, and improve the living conditions of citizens across Bono.
Addressing concerns raised by traditional leaders and residents, President Mahama acknowledged the poor state of road infrastructure in the region and blamed it on the change of government in 2017, which led to the abandonment of several key road projects initiated under his previous tenure.
He announced that major roads such as the Sunyani Inner and Outer Ring Roads, the Alaska Catholic University Road, the Berekum-Sampa Road, the Sampa-Weichi Road, the Odumasi-Bedu Road, the Chiraa-Mbrombo-Gambia No. 1 and No. 2 Road, the Sunyani-Techiman Road, and the Kumasi-Sunyani Road have all been prioritized under his government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme.
“These roads are not just projects; they are lifelines for trade, health, and daily livelihoods. That is why we have made them a priority,” he said.
He further stated that the Minister for Finance has made adequate financial provision to ensure timely payment of contractors, with a two-week payment guarantee upon certification. He assured the public that funding will not be an excuse and urged citizens to hold contractors accountable if they fail to deliver.
“If any contractor is not working, it’s not because he hasn’t been paid. It’s something else, and you must find out what it is,” the President stated.
On agriculture, President Mahama described the Bono Region as Ghana’s cashew heartland and reiterated his commitment to reviving the industry.
He announced plans to establish the long-awaited Cashew Development Board, which will oversee pricing, regulation, market access, processing, and research. He also revealed that the government, in collaboration with the private sector, will construct a cashew processing factory in the region to add value to the crop, create jobs, and retain wealth within local communities.
“Cashew is not just a crop. It is a livelihood. It feeds families and sends children to school,” he said.
The President highlighted his plan to provide Bono and all six newly created regions with fit-for-purpose stadiums to boost youth development and sports across the country. He also assured residents of a major education and healthcare push.
He stated that his government has uncapped the GETFund to provide more resources for educational infrastructure and confirmed that the GETFund will soon commence construction of additional facilities at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) to support the establishment of a fully-fledged medical school.
He said the medical school will be anchored on the Sunyani Teaching Hospital, which his government has now legally recognized.
He stated that the previous government’s announcement to upgrade the hospital was not backed by law and had since been regularized under his administration. He added that the Sunyani Regional Hospital will also see a major infrastructure upgrade to meet its designation as a teaching hospital.
In response to the region’s educational needs, President Mahama pledged to resume all abandoned e-block senior high school projects and complete eight stalled facilities at the Al-Farouk Islamic College of Education. These projects, he said, will enhance access to quality education and support the training of Arabic and Islamic teachers for the country’s school system.
The President also announced plans to construct five modern market centers in key districts of the region, including Sunyani. These markets will be equipped with clean water, sanitation, security, daycare centers, and digital infrastructure to support the women who trade in them.
He revealed that this initiative is being spearheaded by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as part of a broader strategy to boost women’s economic empowerment and enhance local commerce.
As part of the administration’s drive to build a 24-hour economy, the President outlined a regional industrialization strategy focused on light manufacturing and agro-processing to create jobs, improve productivity, and stimulate growth in local businesses.
Concluding his address, President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance. He emphasized that traditional leaders are key partners in peace-building and development, not mere custodians of culture.
He pledged to strengthen the House of Chiefs and provide improved funding to support the work of traditional councils across the region.