Pokrom (E/R), June 22, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Wednesday commissioned a 1.6 billion-cedi Health Centre at Pokrom Nsaba, in the Eastern Region as part of a three-day official tour of the Eastern Region.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd that comprised the traditional elders of the farming community, he underscored the importance of health, saying, "a sick country is a sick economy".

Vice President Alhaji Mahama said without health facilities that were closer to the door steps of the people, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) would not be a success.

He urged the people to embrace the NHIS, which, he said, required only 75,000 cedis as premium for a year for an applicant to qualify for the scheme meant to replace the " cash and carry system".

Vice President Alhaji Mahama assured the people that the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) facility being assessed by the Kufuor administration from the United States Government, would help, especially pineapple farmers in the area, to avert post-harvest losses.

He said under the account, cold facilities would be provided to store pineapples for export.

Elaborating on other development package of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Vice President told the people that tender for the second phase of the upgrading of Senior Secondary Schools was on-going.

Fifteen (15) out of the 38 Teacher Training Schools are also being upgraded to focus on mathematics and science, he added.

The Chief of Pokrom, Nana Toah, II, appealed for the rehabilitation of the town's roads, the improvement of water supply and promotion of tourism in the area.

Mr. Magnus Opare Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transportation announced plans by his Ministry to improve on the Nsawam and Aburi township roads.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama also commissioned a 304 million-cedi Clinic at Kwae funded by the local Stool Laws Revenue.

He also visited the 20,000 hectare farm of the Ghana Oil Palm Development Company (GOPDC) and the Saint Dominic's Hospital at Akwatia, where, he commended the health personnel for remaining at post during the nationwide strike action by medical doctors, nurses and other paramedics.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama inspected works at the Fruit Juice Factory at Asuokaw, where he lauded the project as the by-product of the NPPs policy of "Golden Age of Business".

Osabarima Kwaku Amoa III, Chief of Asamankese, appealed to the Vice President to help resolve the land litigation involving the release of 610 acres for the factory, adding that the impasse had sliced the land size to 193 acres.

Vice President Alhaji Mahama also visited the Suhum Islamic High School where he made a personal donation of 20 million cedis for the promotion of teaching and learning in the academic facility.