The Volta Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Akufo-Addo to honor his campaign promise to construct the roads to link the University of Health and Allied Sciences.
In a press release, the party said the non-construction of the roads shows that President Akufo-Addo has not lived up to his campaign promise made in 2020.
“During the heat of the 2020 electioneering campaign in September 2020, H.E. the President was in Ho, to cut sod for the 5.3 km internal UHAS roads which will link the University of Health and Allied Sciences to the intended dual carriage road that will run from Sokode to Ho and Adaklu communities,” the group lamented in a statement signed by the NDC’s Volta Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa K. Agbleze.
Some of the UHAS roads intended to be constructed include the UHAS main entrance road, Lecture Hall Link, Auditorium Link and Basic School road.
“These roads need to be constructed for several reasons among them is the fact that UHAS is being used as the COVID-19 testing centre for Volta, Oti and parts of the Eastern region. In addition, the poor nature of the roads makes it particularly difficult for vehicles to bring covid-19 samples from health facilities within these regions to the campus,’ the statement said.
According to the NDC, the UHAS Director of Physical Planning and Projects is said to have explained that the phase two construction of Central Administration Block, School of Nursing and Midwifery by the Chinese Government which will cost $60 million will only commence after the UHAS access roads are constructed.
The party points out that because of the vital nature but pathetic state of the roads, traditional authorities in the area have been pressuring the government to construct the road.
“The UHAS roads are pathetically inaccessible for the students and lecturers, especially in this rainy season. A few days ago, the Metro Mass Transit that conveys students to lectures got stuck in the mud so were other vehicles that ply the roads on the UHAS campus.
“The roads in their current state are pathetic and quite ironic that the year which was described as the year of roads by H.E. President has seen very little or nothing as far as road construction in the Volta Region is concerned.
“The call by the Chiefs of the Sokode Traditional Area, for the UHAS roads to be fixed and that of Togbe Kwaku Ayim for the construction of Ziavi to Anfoeta road when they called on the Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Archibald Letsa on separate occasions is worthy of mention.
It shows that the demand for the construction of roads is not a political football between politicians as usual, but an urgent need that should be solved by the government,’ the NDC said.