Vice President John Mahama on Saturday announced that government has secured $300 million for the connection of some rural communities to the national electricity grid.

He said this would help boost modernization of agriculture and integrate the communities into the national economy. The vice president said these when he made a courtesy call on Malba Djemindza Gumna at his Palace at Masawusi near Chereponi on Saturday. He said government was making efforts to integrate rural communities into the larger national economy to boost Ghana’s capacity in agriculture development.

Mr Mahama said that extending electricity to Garinkuka, Wenchiri, and Masawusi in the Chereponi constituency and the Saboba District which have enormous agricultural potentials, would enable government to modernize farm husbandry and increase productivity for export to reduce poverty.

He said modernizing agriculture through the use of improved farming implements, storage facilities and processing of produce remained the concern of President Mills’ administration, to enhance the livelihood of people in rural communities.

Vice President Mahama said government was disappointed by the lack of portable water and the deplorable road network in the area and was working to improve the harsh social conditions of the people.

Malba Gumna jokingly described the rather rickety Yendi-Chereponi road as “asphalt road” and pleaded with the Mills’ administration repair the road and provide the people with social amenities. The people of Wenchiri, Garinkuka and other communities that the Vice President toured as part of his four day tour of the Northern Region also complained about non-existent of drinking water, poor health facilities and deplorable roads.

At Wenchiri, the Vice President assured the people that the Nugbonwi and Adibor dam bridges have been given on contract as part of measures to repair road networks in the area. Mr Mahama said government would secure an ambulance for the community adding “We will do whatever we can to alleviate your sufferings”.

He canvassed for votes for Mr Samuel Jabanyite, NDC candidate for the Chereponi by-election.

He asked the people to vote for a level-headed candidate who would team up with government to solve the myriad problems facing the area.

Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister and National Organizer of the NDC, asked the people to vote for Mr Jabanyite because he would be able to provide good leadership for the constituency. Mr Jabanyite told GNA that modernizing agriculture would be his main focus if elected Member of Parliament.

The NDC candidate said he would liaise with development partners to invest in the construction of dams to boost the production of sorghum.

The NDC Regional Secretary, Mr Imoro Issifu Alhassan told GNA that the NDC’s campaign was focused on maintaining the peace in the areas.

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