A $ 1 million project per constituency will create disadvantaged communities – Bawumia

General News of Sunday, July 21st, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-07-21

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia explained the real effects of President Akufo-Addo's flagship policy by $ 1 million per riding.

At a special breakfast with Caribbean and African Heads of Mission in Havana, Cuba, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Vice President Bawumia highlighted the progress made by the Government in developing the program. Ghana to the admiration of the diplomatic corps.

Mr. Bawumia recounted the government's deliberate efforts to ensure inclusive, non-elite, bottom-up development.

"For us as a government, we are very concerned about poor and rural communities. The development goals pursued by governments have often been elitist. They focus on the construction of huge hospitals, theaters, museums, etc., in cities, at the expense of the basic needs of rural people, "he said.

"It's not inclusive enough. If we want to have an impact on the lives of governments, we must prioritize the needs of rural communities that have been excluded from many sectors and programs of government. That's why we designed and implemented the policy of one million dollars per riding to meet the basic needs of the poor, such as toilets, sewers, dams for agriculture while l & # 39; Year, water distribution networks, walkways, community downtowns, road improvements, school renovations. , providing desks to schools and many others, "he added.

The $ 1 million per riding is a government policy under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication (IPEP) program.

Under the IPEP, each of the 275 constituencies is allocated the equivalent of $ 1 million per year to invest in infrastructure development initiatives of their choice, managed and implemented by the three authorities. development authority (Northern Development Authority, Belt Development Authority and Coastal Development Authority). chaired by the President, under the supervision of the Minister for Special Development Initiatives.

The infrastructure projects to be implemented will support and complement other government infrastructure projects.

Since 2017, budget allocations have been allocated to all constituencies in the country. However, because of the time required to put in place the three development authorities, the $ 1 million per riding has been temporarily administered through the Minister of Special Development Initiatives. The three development authorities have since been created by an Act of Parliament and, therefore, fully operational, the Government has therefore sent opening letters indicating the total amount of the equivalent of $ 1 million States to the three development authorities to begin the implementation of the constituency. specific infrastructure needs.

In July, the Minister of Finance (MoF) sent a letter of recommendation to the country's three development authorities to begin the full implementation of the $ 1 million pledge per constituency in the country. the framework of the Program for the Eradication of Poverty (IPEP).

The start-up certificate provides 1,664 million GHc ($ 320 million) for 275 constituencies across the country. This covers $ 275 million for 275 constituencies and $ 45 million for ongoing commitments.