Amenfi Central MP Submits Comprehensive Development Proposal to Government

Amenfi Central MP Submits Comprehensive Development Proposal to Government

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe Identifies Roads, Education, Healthcare, Electricity, ICT, Water, Agriculture and Youth Development as Key Priorities

The Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central Constituency in the Western Region, Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe, has presented a comprehensive integrated development proposal aimed at addressing major infrastructure and socio-economic challenges confronting communities across the constituency.

The proposal, titled “Amenfi Central Integrated Development Proposal,” is described as a comprehensive request for government intervention, infrastructure development and community transformation.

According to the MP, Amenfi Central possesses considerable potential in agriculture, mining, commerce and human-resource development, but several communities continue to face significant infrastructure and service-delivery challenges.

She noted that some of the challenges, particularly in roads, education, electricity, healthcare, telecommunications and water, have persisted for several decades.

411.5km of Priority Roads Identified

Road infrastructure has been identified as one of the most urgent areas requiring government attention.

The MP's proposal lists 38 priority road projects covering approximately 411.50 kilometres for upgrading and development.

Among the roads identified are the Humgebire (Gate)-Juabo-Wuraterm-Wassa Akropong road, covering 55 kilometres, the Pensanom-Obeng-Anakum-Amuni-Dwirigum-Fuleso road, covering 52.4 kilometres, and the Manso Amenfi-Adidaase-Aku Nkwanta-Antobam-Akyeakrom road, covering 34 kilometres.

Other routes include Agona Amenfi-Jedua Kesse, Wuraterm-Ankasie-Agona Amenfi, Kwamang-Manukrom-Nkwatanan, Hiawa-Wassa Bekwai-Gyaboase, Broni Nkwanta-Prestea and several community and feeder roads.

The MP, however, stressed that the listed distances and route descriptions should be technically verified by the appropriate authorities before any implementation.

Major Education Expansion Proposed

Education also occupies a prominent position in the proposal.

Hon. Cudjoe is calling for a comprehensive education-development programme covering the construction of new KG, primary and JHS blocks, additional classrooms, rehabilitation of existing schools and completion of abandoned projects.

The proposal also includes requests for:

School furniture

Teachers' and headteachers' accommodation

Libraries

ICT and science laboratories

STEM facilities

School water and sanitation

Inclusive education facilities

Facilities for children with disabilities

Sports facilities

Teaching and learning materials

At the Senior High School level, the MP is seeking additional educational opportunities for young people in the constituency, including new SHSs where justified and the expansion of existing institutions.

The proposed facilities include classrooms, boys' and girls' dormitories, dining halls, kitchens, assembly halls, laboratories, ICT centres, libraries, administrative blocks, teachers' accommodation, sports facilities and water and sanitation systems.

Call for Teacher and Health Professional Training Institutions

The proposal further seeks consideration for a Teacher Training/College of Education facility to serve Amenfi Central and surrounding communities.

The proposed institution would include lecture halls, demonstration facilities, ICT infrastructure, libraries, science facilities, student and staff accommodation and professional-development facilities.

Hon. Cudjoe is also seeking consideration for a Nursing and Midwifery Training institution or another appropriate health-professional training facility in the constituency.

Stronger TVET and Skills Development

The MP believes technical and vocational education could play a major role in tackling youth unemployment and creating sustainable livelihoods.

She is therefore proposing expanded TVET opportunities in areas such as:

Mechanical engineering, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, plumbing, carpentry, construction, automotive engineering, agriculture, agro-processing, ICT, mining-related technical skills, catering, fashion and textiles and entrepreneurship.

Electricity for Underserved Communities

The proposal also identifies numerous communities requiring electricity-related interventions.

The requested interventions include grid extensions, transformers, distribution lines, new connections, upgrading of inadequate power supply, solar systems and solar streetlights.

The MP is asking the relevant authorities to assess each community and determine the most appropriate electricity solution based on technical requirements.

Telecommunications and Digital Connectivity

Improved telecommunications and internet access have also been identified as important components of the constituency's development.

Several communities have been listed as requiring improved network coverage, including areas around Nkakaa, Sompre, Nkwantanan, Abuom, Wuratrem, Jedua Kesse, Subriho, Dwirigum, Fuleso, Chichiso, Anyinabrim, Agona Camp, Adidaase, Agave, Congo-Bisco, Donkorkrom and other communities.

The proposal calls for interventions such as network towers, expansion of existing networks, internet connectivity, community ICT centres and digital-learning facilities.

Healthcare Infrastructure

Hon. Cudjoe is also seeking significant investment in healthcare infrastructure across Amenfi Central.

The proposal includes the construction or expansion of CHPS compounds, health centres and hospitals where technically justified, as well as maternity units, children's wards, emergency units, laboratories and diagnostic centres.

It also calls for medical equipment, ambulances, accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health workers, reliable water supply, electricity, solar systems, sanitation and medical-waste management.

The MP says the appropriate health authorities should assess communities individually and determine the appropriate level of healthcare facility required.

Water and Sanitation

Access to clean and reliable water remains another priority.

The proposal seeks government intervention for boreholes, mechanised boreholes, community water systems, small-town water systems and rehabilitation of existing systems.

It also covers school and hospital water supply, public toilets, school sanitation, health-facility sanitation, drainage, waste management and flood-control measures.

Agriculture and Agro-Processing

Given Amenfi Central's agricultural potential, the MP is proposing stronger investment in the agricultural sector.

Priority areas include farm roads, agricultural extension services, mechanisation, irrigation, farmer training, improved inputs, storage facilities, warehouses, agro-processing, cold-chain facilities, market linkages and agricultural cooperatives.

The proposal also calls for specific programmes targeting young people and women in agriculture.

Markets and Local Economic Development

The MP is further seeking modern commercial infrastructure to support traders and small businesses.

Proposed interventions include modern markets, market sheds, stores, warehouses, electricity, water, sanitation, drainage and waste-management facilities.

She also wants greater support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women entrepreneurs and youth enterprises.

Youth Employment and Digital Opportunities

Youth development forms another key component of the proposal.

Hon. Cudjoe is calling for expanded opportunities in TVET, apprenticeships, construction, welding, electrical work, mechanics, plumbing, carpentry, agriculture, agro-processing, mining-related technical skills, ICT, digital skills and entrepreneurship.

The proposal also seeks community ICT centres, digital-learning facilities, coding and robotics programmes, digital entrepreneurship and innovation centres.

Security, Emergency Services and Sports

The MP is also proposing improvements in security and emergency infrastructure, including police infrastructure, police accommodation, community security posts, streetlights, fire and emergency facilities, NADMO support and emergency access roads.

In sports and community development, she is calling for football fields, community sports centres, youth centres, libraries, recreational facilities and cultural infrastructure.

Government Institutions Urged to Assess Development Needs

Hon. Cudjoe is asking the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to undertake a comprehensive technical assessment of the identified communities.

The assessment, according to the proposal, should verify existing infrastructure, identify gaps, assess road, electricity, network, education, health, water and agricultural needs, and determine projects already captured under existing government programmes.

It should also identify new projects, prioritise urgent interventions and develop realistic implementation timelines and funding arrangements.

Institutions mentioned include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, GETFund, CTVET, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Feeder Roads, Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, ECG, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, National Communications Authority, GIFEC, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, National Youth Authority, Youth Employment Agency, Ghana Enterprises Agency, NADMO, the Western Regional Coordinating Council and Amenfi Central District Assembly, among others.

Phased Implementation Proposed

The MP acknowledges that all the projects cannot be implemented simultaneously.

She has therefore proposed a phased approach consisting of immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term priorities.

Immediate interventions would focus on urgent needs affecting safety, education, healthcare, mobility, electricity and other basic services.

Short-term projects would target interventions that can be accommodated within existing government programmes, while medium- and long-term projects would involve larger infrastructure requiring detailed planning, technical studies and budgetary programming.

MP: Amenfi Central Needs Coordinated Development

Hon. Joana Gyan Cudjoe said the proposal should not be viewed merely as a list of political demands but as an attempt to document the development needs of the constituency and provide a coordinated framework for intervention.

She said her office is prepared to work with the government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the District Assembly, traditional authorities, development partners, private-sector institutions, youth groups, women's groups and civil society organisations to move the projects from identification and assessment to implementation.

According to her, the people of Amenfi Central deserve development that is planned, coordinated and sustainable.

She stressed that some communities still lack basic roads, electricity, reliable network coverage, schools, healthcare facilities and potable water, while young people require skills and employment opportunities and farmers need better infrastructure and market access.

Hon. Cudjoe therefore appealed to the Government of Ghana and other relevant stakeholders to consider the development needs outlined in the proposal and work towards transforming Amenfi Central.

“Amenfi Central needs development, and I am ready to work with Government to deliver it,” the MP said.

Source:Bibianinews.com/Kwame Kontor Boateng