Government has executed massive projects in various sectors of the economy including roads, education, health, agriculture and the judiciary in the Oti Region.
Taking his turn yesterday at the regional ministers’ weekly updates organised by the Ministry of Information, the Oti Regional Minister, Mr. Joshua Gmayenaam Makubu disclosed that a total of 587km of roads have been completed in the region.
He added that some 185.7km of roads projects are ongoing, totaling 772.7 road projects in Oti.
Mr. Makubu noted that road networks are a key element for the economic growth of every country. “It is essential to project a strategic and sustained expansion and an adequate maintenance of these networks to guarantee quality connections between the different parts of a geographical territory.
“In addition, providing access to employment, social, health and education services makes a road network crucial in fighting against poverty.
“Roads open up more areas and stimulate economic and social development”, he added.
Value addition to iron ore
Mr. Makubu has reiterated government’s intentions of adding value to the region’s recently discovered iron ore deposits.
According to him, government is determined to ensure Ghana realises the full benefits of the iron ore deposit and at the same time, making sure its full value chain is retained in the Oti Region.
“Recently, the Region has discovered large quantities of Iron Ore. The Ghana Geological Survey Authority led the discovery of the large quantities of Iron ore deposits. The iron ore is 55.22 weight percent (fe) and of a higher grade.
“Government is determined to provide value addition to its raw commodity and would ensure that the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development work closely with the GGSA and the communities to ensure that full value chain is retained in the region and the country,” he said.
Mr. Makubu described the discovery of the iron ore as good news for the region and urged the chiefs and people to work in harmony to drive development to the area.
He maintained that the exploration and the business of the Iron will create jobs and wealth for the people of Oti and the country in general.
Already, 10 local and foreign investors have expressed interest in mining the iron ore.
None of the investors, according to Mr. Makubu, will exclusively own a concession but will rather sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) and the host communities to mine within a specific period of time to benefit the region and the country at large.
Governance & Administration
On governance and administration, Mr. Makubu said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has started the construction of its own administration block at Dambai with 3No. Senior staff bungalows to accommodate its key staff.
There is also the construction of residential and administrative infrastructure to house key department and services.
Health
The Oti Regional Minister said the Akufo-Addo administration has constructed a 2-storey regional health directorate for Ghana Health Service (GHS) at Worawora, senior staff bungalows for GHS in the same town.
Police Service
The Oti Regional Minister announced that government has constructed a 3-storey regional police headquarters for Ghana Police Service at Dambai.
In addition, two bungalows are constructed for regional police commander and his deputy as well as construction of a 3-storey 12 units block of flats for the Police all at Dambai.
Judiciary
Among the projects in the region are the construction of a 2-storey high court complex for Ghana judicial service at Dambai, construction of a circuit court complex at Chinderi
The rest are the construction of a circuit court complex at Kadjebi, two circuit court judges’ bungalows at Chinderi and Kadjebi.
Department of agric
The Oti Regional Minister, Mr. Makubu also announced the construction of a 2-storey regional directorate of agriculture and two bungalows for ministry of food & agriculture at Nkwanta
Youth Employment Agency
The Akufo-Addo government, the regional minister indicated, has constructed the youth employment agency regional office at Dambai
Education
The Oti Regional Minister pointed out that the implementation of educational policies including the Free Senior High School policy by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has resulted in activities needed to improve upon the existing educational system such as staffing and infrastructure to bridge the deficit.
“Owing to this, the Oti Regional Coordinating Council has embarked upon a number of activities aimed at improving education in the region”, he added.
Free SHS
Mr. Makubu said with the implementation of the free SHS flagship programme, enrolment figures have increased drastically from 15,285 in 2016 to 25,483 in 2022 representing 66.72 % change thereby bridging the accessibility gap at the SHS level
According to him, only 3 out of 29 SHS in the region are transition schools. (Bueman SHS, Kadjebi Asato SHS and St. Mary’s Seminary SHS.
Natural resources
According to the Oti Regional Minister, the region abounds in natural resources including land, stone, sand, air, sunlight, soil, water, animals, birds, fish, and vegetation.
“Recently, the Region has discovered large quantities of Iron Ore. The Ghana Geological Survey Authority led the discovery of the large quantities of Iron ore deposits. The iron ore is 55.22 weight percent (fe) and of a higher grade
“Government is determined to provide value addition to its raw commodity and would ensure that the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development work closely with the GGSA and the communities to ensure that full value chain is retained in the region and the country”, Mr. Makubu indicated.
Planting for Food & Jobs
According to the regional minister, 26,751 farmers have been supplied free pesticides for the control of Fall Army Worms to boost production since 2017 to date.
“The yield of Maize has increased from 1.9MT/HA to 2.31MT/HA. The yield of Rice has increased from 4.07MT/HA to 5.22MT/HA”, he disclosed.
On rearing of animals, the regional minister said 500 sheep have been distributed to 50 farmers whilst 142 sheep have been recovered and distributed to 24 farmers.
He added that 4,590 cockerels have been distributed to 426 farmers for breed improvement
Opportunities
The Oti Region, Mr. Makubu pointed out, sits on a golden pot of immense and untapped investment opportunities and potentials which can be explored.
“The Oti Regional Coordinating Council will provide enabling environment for investors to maximize their investments in the Region”, he concluded.
About Oti Region
The Oti Region is one of the six new administrative Regions in Ghana created in 2019 following a successful referenda conducted in certain parts of Ghana in December, 2018.
The Oti Region, made up of nine Administrative districts was established by virtue of Constitutional Instrument 112 of February 15th 2019 (CI 112 of 2019)
The Region shares common boundaries with Northern and Savannah Regions to the North, Volta Region to the South, Republic of Togo to the East, and Bono East Region (beyond the Volta Lake) to the West.
The total Population of the Region is 747,248.
Male Population accounts for 50.50% which works out to 377,392 of the said total Population.
Female Population is 369,856 constituting 49.50% of the total Population
