Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Saeed Jibril Muhazu has expressed satisfaction about the level of work in the implementation of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Projects in the Region, touting it as life changing that has improved the lives of many in the Savannah Region.
Addressing the media on Friday 15th November,2024 at the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council in Damongo, the Savannah Regional Minister indicated that a total of 39 SOCO projects have been implemented and ongoing in it's first year in the Savannah Region.
The projects, according to the minister include 7 schools, 7 health facilities, 4 rural markets, 12 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, 2 social centers, 4 youth engagement activities,
2 rural roads and culverts and 1 earth dam to boost irrigation and agriculture in the region.
He indicated further that SOCO Projects has brought significant improvements to the lives of thousands of people in Northern Ghana.
"From constructing roads and classroom blocks to providing access to healthcare and clean water, the SOCO project has made a tangible difference in the Savannah Region" he said.
Hon Saeed Muhazu Jibril indicated further that one of the most significant achievements of the SOCO projects is the creation of jobs and economic opportunities especially for the youth in it's operational areas.
The Savannah Region has witnessed significant improvement in the areas of development since the implementation of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project that has invested heavily in crucial sectors that directly enhance the wellbeing of residents in it’s recent four catchment districts namely the Bole Municipality, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba (STK) District, North Gonja District, and Northeast Gonja District.
On the construction of the an AstroTurf pitch in Bole,the minister indicated that the project is set kick off soon after the contract have been signed some few days ago for the second phase of the SOCO projects in the region. Some projects, according to the minister has already been commissioned and handed over to the beneficiary communities whilst others are in completion stages.
Meanwhile, the Savannah Regional Minister has called for collaboration with the media, highlighting their importance in the dissemination of information to the public.
The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) is a US$450 million World Bank-sponsored initiative being rolled out in four countries, namely: Ghana, Togo, Benin and La Cote’Ivoire.
In Ghana, the project, with an estimated cost of US$150 million, is being implemented in 48 Municipal and District Assemblies across six regions, including the Northern, Savannah, Upper West, Upper East, North East and Oti regions.
