Minister-designate for the Ashanti Region, Dr Frank Amoakohene, says he will prioritise the renovation of facilities at the Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) when given the nod by parliament.

The accommodation facilities at the residency of the ARCC have been left to rot after years of neglect by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

In an interview with Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on Nhyira FM’s “Kuro Yi Mu Nsem”, Dr Amoakohene said he will make plans to renovate the ARCC when he successfully goes through the vetting process.

“When I complete the vetting process, we will have a thorough discussion about that and see how we will start rebuilding the place,” he said.

He explained that it is not mandatory for the Regional Minister to live in the residency at the RCC, but is mandatory to keep the place in good shape.

“You can have your own house that you live in with your family that you’re comfortable in. But you can’t say because you live in your own house you leave the RCC to rot,” the nominee said.

Expressing his disappointment in the former regional minister, Dr Amoakohene indicated how he intends to raise resources to fund the renovation project.

“According to the Local Government Act, the source of funding for the RCC is from a percentage of the Common Fund, donations among other driven steps the RCC will take. Once the RCC is a public building, we can all come together and rebuild this. The market women are really happy and I’m sure within the Ashanti region we can raise an amount to start renovating the place,” he said.

He commended the youth of Ashanti Region for taking the initiative to keep the area in good shape. 

“Let me commend the youth of Ashanti Region. As they heard I have been appointed, they went to RCC yesterday to weed. They have started putting the place together and I’m really impressed,” he stated.

The incoming minister is seeking the help of all to help him “make a lot of inputs to be able to put the place back in shape”.