President Akufo-Addo has pledged to effectively tackle the basic need deficit in the country by the end of his second tenure in office.
Delivering his inaugural speech after being sworn-in on Thursday, the President noted that his next four years in office will among other things, connect all the communities without electricity to the national grid, provide potable water to all, make healthcare facilities accessible to every citizen and tackle the unacceptable housing infrastructure in the country.
“The remaining 15 percent of our communities without electricity would be covered by the end of my second term. We have already begun constructing hospitals in the remaining districts that do not have one – a process which will be completed within a year.
“The percentage of Ghanaians without access to potable water is set to reduce significantly, following the commencement of work on a number of water supply projects across all parts of the country. The majority of our people live in unacceptable housing, and we shall tackle the problem with vigour,” he promised.
Healthcare facilities
In 2020, President Akufo-Addo promised to build about 94 hospitals in various districts and regions to make up for the lack of healthcare facilities in those areas after the coming of Covid-19 pandemic.
Among them are six new regional hospitals for the newly created regions and 88 districts hospitals in districts without none.
Water projects
The President commissioned a number of water supply systems in various parts of the country including the Volta, Northern, North East and Upper West regions as the 2020 general election drew near.
The projects were noted to be under the Water Supply Improvement Project (WSIP) of the Ghana-Spain Debt Swap Development Programme (DSDP).
Housing
With regards to provision of shelter, the New Patriotic Party as part of its manifesto promised to set aside $100 million as a seed into a new National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to set up to address accommodation problem if it is voted in power come December 2020.
The party explained that the scheme will serve as a loan allowance for payment of rents to bridge the gap between tenants and landlords.
In view of these, the President reiterated his commitment to fulfil all the promises and more to significantly reduce the burden that has plagued the country for over 60 years of gaining independence.