The Western Regional House of Chiefs, led by its President, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama at the Presidency in Accra. The visit, which took place on Wednesday, July 30th, was primarily to congratulate President Mahama on his victory in the December 7th, 2024 general election. The delegation’s presence underscored the importance of the Western Region in Ghana’s socio-political landscape and provided a platform for discussions on the region’s development needs.
President Mahama, acknowledging the region’s historical contributions, highlighted its role as the “natural resource basket of Ghana.” He traced its economic significance from the era of cocoa and timber to the current prominence of gold, oil and gas, rubber, bauxite, and coconut. Beyond its economic prowess, President Mahama emphasized the rich cultural heritage of the region, home to diverse ethnic groups like the Wassa, Sefwi, Aowin, Nzema, and Hanta, each boasting a lineage of influential leaders and freedom fighters, including Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. He recognized the region’s immense potential for driving industrialization, economic diversification, and job creation, while acknowledging the need to address persistent developmental gaps. He assured the chiefs that the issues they raised during his regional visit remained central to his development agenda.
The President outlined key infrastructure projects planned for the Western Region under the government’s “Big Push” initiative, a $10 billion, five-year investment program. This includes the dualization of the Takoradi-Agona-Nkwanta-Elubu Highway to facilitate trade and transportation, particularly crucial for the mining, petroleum, agriculture, and border commerce sectors. The project aims to improve connectivity and reduce transportation costs. Furthermore, upgrades to feeder roads in cocoa and mining areas like Wassa-Kropong, Enchi, Prestea, Sefwi-Wiaso, and Ayinase are planned to ease the movement of goods and improve rural accessibility. These infrastructure improvements are designed to stimulate economic activity and enhance the quality of life in these areas.
Continuing with infrastructure development, President Mahama addressed the Sino-Hydro interchange projects in Takoradi, confirming ongoing discussions with the Chinese government for their continuation and completion. He also highlighted the planned rehabilitation of the Western Railway line from Takoradi through Huni Valley, Awaso, Dunkwa, to Nyinahin and Kumasi. This rail rehabilitation, vital for the mining sector’s transportation of bauxite, manganese, and other bulk cargo, is expected to alleviate road congestion and reduce the wear and tear caused by heavy trucks. This project is aimed at improving the efficiency of bulk commodity transportation while preserving road infrastructure.
Beyond infrastructure, President Mahama emphasized value addition to the region’s raw materials. He announced the promotion of a manganese refinery within the region, aimed at processing the raw manganese currently exported. Plans for an alumina refinery to process bauxite mined in Awaso and other areas are also in the pipeline. These initiatives reflect a strategy to move beyond raw material export and capture more value within the country through downstream processing, creating jobs and boosting local economies.
The President also addressed port expansion, stating that the Takoradi Port would undergo further development under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This expansion aims to create a dedicated oil and gas services hub, as well as dry bulk and container terminals. These initiatives are expected to boost exports and reduce ship waiting times, thereby improving the efficiency of port operations and contributing to the overall competitiveness of Ghana’s export sector. The expansion also aligns with the government’s strategy to position Takoradi as a key player in the oil and gas industry.
Nana Kobina Nketsia, speaking on behalf of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, congratulated President Mahama on his return to the Presidency, commending his leadership and humility. He also praised the Mahama administration for its people-centered programs, citing the recent appreciation of the Ghana Cedi as a testament to sound economic management. These remarks reflected the chiefs’ positive assessment of the President’s performance and their confidence in his ability to steer the country towards economic prosperity. The visit ultimately served as a platform for reinforcing the collaborative relationship between the government and the traditional authorities in the Western Region, emphasizing their shared commitment to the region’s and the nation’s development.
