President John Dramani Mahama’s three-day tour of the Ashanti Region was excellent and productive, that’s according to the Senior Advisor and Head of Communications at the Presidency, Ben Dotse Malor.

The President, as part of the tour which ended on Sunday, inspected works on the Kumasi Airport Runway upgrading, and visited the DIHOC Shoe factory where he announced Government will soon be providing free shoes and sandals for school children.

He also paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, where he said several development projects were underway in the country, especially in the Ashanti Region.

“We are working on the dualization of the road from Accra to Kumasi. Kumasi is the second largest city and it must be connected to the capital of this country by first class road; and so we are working on that road,” he noted.

President Mahama told the Asantehene that the Manhyia Hospital would also be upgraded to serve more people in the coming years. He also announced that funding was being sourced to upgrade the Kumasi Central Market into an ultra-modern market that will become one of the best in the West African sub-region.

The President reiterated that the dormant rail lines in the Western Region would be revitalized and expanded to link the Ashanti Region.

“The Western Corridor rail line is also part of the projects. It was part of the projects under the three billion Chinese Development Bank Loan, but there have been some hitches in accessing that facility. So we are looking for alternative sources of financing to ensure that there is a rail line that connects the Ashanti Region to the Western Region."

“We have so much bauxite and manganese in the country and we keep transporting them by road, but the rail system can do much more. We are considering beginning work on the Henahene bauxite deposit site to create jobs for the youth in Ashanti region, I believe these projects will be of great help to the region."

The President also commissioned a water project in Asante Mampong and inspected work on the Tepa District Hospital. He also visited the Akate Poultry Farms and inspected some road construction sites, and ended his tour with a durbar of Muslim chiefs at the Asawasi Central Mosque in Kumasi, with call on Ghanaians to support his administration to succeed.

Senior Advisor and Head of Communications at the presidency, Ben Dotse Malor, told Ultimate Radio the President’s visit was insightful, excellent and productive. He says the President has been working hard for Ghanaians and needs the support of all.

“Overall, the visit has been productive, constructive and excellent, not just for the President, but for all Ghanaians. And I think you can talk to all the people at the various places. Even at Asawase where you are speaking to me, ask them what they think of the President and what he is doing to improve the lives of Ghanaians. We must acknowledge that there are economic challenges. But if you talk to all the economists, they will tell you that the prospects in the medium to long-term are very good."

“And indeed as the President told Otumfuor, it is not only Ghana that is going through an economic crunch at the moment. But the good thing is that we acknowledge it since we know that measures are being put in place to lift us up and present a better tomorrow."

Ben Dotsei Malor, who is galvanizing support for the President, remains optimistic even in the current economic difficulties, adding that, things will get better as pragmatic measures are being initiated.

“Stay focused, stay prayerful and let’s work hard. The President is determined and is working hard for the greater good of Ghana. Let’s all join forces and maintain a sense of optimism despite the challenges. It’s easy during good times for all of us to be buoyant, but through these times, the President would want all of us to stand with him and his hardworking ministers."

“Let’s all put our hands to the wheel and move Ghana forward no matter where we come from and what party we support. We can succeed and we shall succeed. A lot of good is being done and the President means well. He is hard working and he wants the best for this country so let’s support him to succeed."