Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has called for continuity in governance, saying Ghana's development must not restart after every change of government. He made the call at the commissioning of the newly completed Ashanti Regional Office of the Minerals Commission in Kumasi.
No Restarting Development
Dr. Amoakohene said successive governments must develop the culture of completing and sustaining projects inherited from previous administrations, regardless of the political party that initiated them. He noted that one of the major challenges to national development was not necessarily the absence of good ideas or infrastructure, but the inability to sustain successful projects and institutions beyond political and administrative transitions.
The regional minister said a government should not abandon a hospital, school, road, market, office, or any other public facility simply because it was initiated by a previous administration. He emphasized that the continuity of development projects was central to building strong public institutions and ensuring value for money in public investments.
President's Commitment to Legacy Projects
Dr. Amoakohene commended President John Dramani Mahama for his strong commitment to completing legacy projects across the country. The president had directed that 20 percent of funds received under the Common Fund be reserved for the completion of abandoned or inherited projects in rural districts.
The initiative, Dr. Amoakohene said, would cover legacy projects initiated by successive governments, from the administration of Ghana's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, through subsequent administrations. He commended the leadership of the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for taking responsibility for the completion of the regional office.
Collective Responsibility for Public Infrastructure
Dr. Amoakohene urged the authorities to prioritise maintenance to ensure that the facility remained in good condition for years to come. He said public infrastructure belonged to the state and the people and therefore required collective responsibility to protect and maintain it.
The regional minister further said his office, located close to the new Minerals Commission facility, would monitor its maintenance and encouraged the commission to sustain the standards established by the new infrastructure. He concluded that the commissioning of the facility was a commitment to strengthening public institutions, improving efficiency and professionalism, and bringing public services closer to the people.
This call for continuity in governance is a timely reminder that development is a long-term process that requires sustained effort and commitment from successive governments. By prioritizing the completion and maintenance of public infrastructure, Ghana can build stronger public institutions and ensure that development projects benefit the people for years to come.
Source: Joy Online
