Nadowli, UWR, Dec. 8, GNA – Vice President John Dramani Mahama, on Thursday launched the Ghana Social Opportunities Project, which covers 40 districts throughout the country.

The project which would be administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development would among other things facilitate the graduation of ultra-poor households out of poverty by exploiting synergies.

Vice President Mahama launched the $89.1 million-dollar project at Nadowli in the Upper West Region, which would increase access to conditional cash transfers nationwide and increase access to employment, cash earning opportunities to the rural poor and increase economic and social infrastructure in the period of five years.

He said the National Democratic Congress as a social democratic party is rolling out various programmes as a manifestation of its intentions to ensure equality and equity in the distribution of national resources.

The Vice President said government would continue to come out with social interventions that would make the beneficiaries comfortable and the country an investment friendly country.

He said the one-time National Health Insurance Scheme would be implemented next year to replace the existing five years scheme that is renewed on annual basis.

He called on communities that have been considered in the creation of districts to be patient until they receive their turn.

“Not every community can get a district at the same time. Exercise restraint and wait for your time to come,” he stressed.

Vice President Mahama reiterated government’s commitment to pay three months arrears of the Single Spine Salary Structure to all beneficiaries at the end of December.

He said the payment formed part of government’s plan to pay accumulated arrears.