The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, has assured that the Western Regional Coordinating Council will ensure the proper use of equipment provided under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
He gave the assurance during an orientation programme for District Coordinators from the Western, Western North, and Central regions, held in Takoradi. Nelson highlighted that good roads are essential for connecting communities, facilitating trade, and supporting social interaction. He stressed that the poor condition of many roads in the region has slowed development, making DRIP a crucial intervention.
The Minister proposed that DRIP should serve as a training platform for machine operators and technicians under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) model. This approach, he explained, would create thousands of jobs for the youth while ensuring that local expertise sustains the programme.
Nelson also urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) to work hand in hand to maximize the benefits of DRIP in their communities. He expressed gratitude to the National DRIP Coordinator and his team for selecting the Western Region as the host of the orientation, and encouraged participants to apply their new knowledge effectively.
The National DRIP Coordinator, Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, warned coordinators, particularly those working in illegal mining areas, not to misuse the equipment for personal purposes. He cautioned that the government had invested heavily in the initiative and that any misuse would attract strict sanctions.
The two-day orientation, themed “Strengthening DRIP for Sustainable Road Maintenance and National Development”, brought together several MMDCEs and MPs. Among them were Alhassan Ibrahim (Wassa East), Sophia Aubyn (Mpohor-Fiase), Benedict Boadi (Jomoro), Peter Amponsah (Wassa Amenfi Central), Naana Ackom (Gomoa East), Hackman Kobina Aidoo (Gomoa Central), Frederick F. Faidoo, Esq. (STME), and Ismaeel Nana Asamoah (Ekumfi).
The orientation aimed to build capacity, share knowledge, and align national development strategies with local-level road improvement plans. With the backing of regional leaders, the Western Region is set to make significant progress in road infrastructure that will boost connectivity and support long-term growth.