President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo returned to Accra to continue work after an 8-day tour of three regions covering 42 main stops.

That brings to 14 the number of regions visited so far. The President’s tour in the Bono, Ashanti and Eastern Regions afforded him an opportunity to witness at first-hand the progress of work in these regions on his administration’s flagship programmes.

Addressing Journalists in Accra, Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the tour also afforded Nana Akufo-Addo an opportunity to hear directly from citizens, interest groups and traditional rulers who gave him insights into what they make of his administration’s delivery so far and what more they will want him to focus on.

“Key issues that engaged the President’s attention on his tour were Education, Infrastructure and Agriculture,” he said.

Mr Nkrumah said the President was impressed with the delivery of the Free SHS programme and was particularly happy to see all three streams (forms 1,2,3) benefit from the programme and progress made on dormitories and classroom blocks which are aimed at ending the double track system once fully completed.

Adding that “the President is highly expectant that excellent results from the first batch of beneficiaries in June 2020 will put the critics of the programme to shame”.

The Minister disclosed that the President received positive feedback on the Planting for Food and jobs programme.  

“The President has committed to ensuring that his team in Parliament push for the passage of the Tree Crops Bill when Parliament resumes in October to allow the necessary institutional support for Cashew and other tree crops to be fully rolled out. Cabinet has already given policy approval for the passage of this bill”, Mr Nkrumah stated.

On Infrastructure, the Minister said the President had opportunity to interact with Ministers, consultants and contractors working on key projects such as roads, warehouses, Youth Development Centers, an airport, educational institutions and Agric Centers. He said President Akufo-Addo admonished those behind schedule to get on track while urging his ministers to ensure those owed are promptly paid.

The Ofoase Ayirebi legislator said, “The Finance Ministry has in response outlined how it plans to make over GHS1 billion in payment available with immediate effect in fulfilment of its commitments”.