The Upper West Region has so far received GH¢101,902,000 out of its District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) allocation for the implementation of development projects across the region. 

The amount, received as of the end of the second quarter, represents about 25 per cent of the total allocation expected by the region for the year. 

The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, disclosed this in Wa at the weekend during a town hall meeting to brief President John Dramani Mahama on the status of the region during his #ResettingGhana Tour. 

He said the funds had been channelled into various development projects across the region’s 11 districts and municipalities, including healthcare, education, water and sanitation. 

He said the projects included the construction of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, classroom blocks, and mechanised and manual boreholes. 

Others included nurses’ and teachers’ quarters, police posts, market sheds and road networks through the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) under the Government’s development initiatives. 

Mr Puozuing said the region had also benefited from about 110 projects funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), including a library complex and halls of residence at the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS). 

Other projects included a new Senior High School at Issa, a new TVET centre at Ga, and classroom and dormitory blocks at Kanton Senior High School. 

The Minister said the Government had also prioritised the completion of abandoned projects while ensuring that new infrastructure responded to the needs of communities. 

Speaking at Poyentanga when President Mahama inspected the 24-Hour Economy Market project, Mr Richard Wulo, Wa West District Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to the Government for releasing funds to the assemblies. 

He said the district had received its allocation and was using it to undertake development projects that would directly benefit residents. 

He particularly commended the construction of the 24-Hour Economy Market in the district, saying its strategic location would enhance trade and improve livelihoods by attracting businesses from neighbouring Burkina Faso. 

President John Dramani Mahama said decentralisation was essential to accelerating development because district assemblies were better placed to identify and address the needs of their communities. 

He said the Government had, therefore, directed that 80 per cent of the DACF be transferred directly to the district assemblies to enable them to undertake projects based on the priorities of their respective communities. 

President Mahama commended the Minister for Finance for ensuring timely releases of the funds to the assemblies and urged them to use the allocations for their intended purposes. 

On the 24-Hour Economy Market, President Mahama commended the contractor for the progress of work. 

“The 24-hour market is supposed to stimulate economic activity because economic markets are the lifeblood of trading and economic activity,” he said. 

President Mahama also inspected the proposed site for the Upper West Regional Airport at Nyagli in the Wa Municipality.